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A notebook in the hand of J. H. Davies containing a revised address by him to a society or meeting of London Welshmen, c. May 1905, on 'Y Llyfrgell Genedlaethol, ei chynnwys a'i Lleoliad', i.e. on the nature and scope of the proposed national library for Wales and on the reasons in favour of siting it at Aberystwyth. Inset are two forms of resolutions, the one worded for the Society ('Y Gymdeithas hon') and the other for the meeting ('y cyfarfod hwn'), in support of the claim of Aberystwyth.

Miscellaneous notebooks and unbound papers from the library of, and largely in the hand of, Owen Jones (1833-99), Calvinistic Methodist minister, man of letters, book collector and bibliographer, of Liverpool and Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain, Montgomeryshire. They include a fragment of a late eighteenth century manuscript containing 'Carol Plygain' by John Cadwaladr, verses by Ellis William, Llwunc[y]nfal, etc. ('Howel Jones his Book ... 1792,' 'Howel Jones Llwyncunfal ... ber 1792'); a volume of poetry including three libretti entitled 'Samson (Cyfieithiad o waith [John] Mil[ton]', 'Deborah' ('Finis May 4th 1861') and 'Y Cread' ('11/3/62'), and Welsh and English originals and translations, 1860-3 (e.g. 'The Hymns of A[nn] G[riffiths] rendered into English', 'Gray's Elegy'); a draft list of 'Hen Ddiarhebion' [old Welsh proverbs] rendered into Welsh verse (nos 1-540; one section dated 3 March [18]63); copious draft bibliographies of prose and poetry works by individual Welsh authors; etc. The material was originally tied in a brown paper wrapper inscribed by J[ohn] B[allinger], 'Library of the late Rev. Owen Jones, notes lent to Mr J. H. Davies by Miss Janet Jones, & by him deposited in the N[ational] L[ibrary of Wales]. 15-12-[19]09'.

A list giving the titles of pamphlets, 'eisteddfod' programmes, etc. presented to the National Library of Wales by Richard Rees, Paris House, Machynlleth.

The letters, 1895-1925, discuss Welsh political life, the attempts to regenerate Mudiad Cymru Fydd, historical records relating to Flintshire, the foundation of the National Library of Wales, its location at Aberystwyth, and appeals for increased government funding and the passage of the copyright legislation, developments at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and the federal University of Wales, the possibility of establishing a Public Record Office for Wales, and the selection of Liberal candidates in Welsh constituencies for the 'Coupon' General Election of December 1918.

The letters, 1895-1926, relate mainly to Sir Daniel's researches and writings. There are also several references to the University of Wales, the University College of South Wales, Cardiff, and the National Library of Wales.

Miscellaneous typescripts, c. 1900-1920, on a very wide range of subjects, including a number of copies of references and testimonials. They include material relating to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, the National Library of Wales, the Ancient Monuments Board for Wales, the League of Nations Union, and many items of Cardiganshire interest. The events covered in the various typescripts date back to 1753.

Most of the letters, 1899-1926, concern research and publishing matters and the affairs of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion and its meetings. Many of the letters discuss the preparation and publication of Davies's Bibliography of Welsh Ballads and various articles and notes. There are occasional references to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and to the establishment of the National Library of Wales.

A notebook in the hand of J. H. Davies containing a list of first lines of, and references to, poetry by Tudur Aled in manuscripts in the Peniarth Collection in the National Library of Wales.

A scribbling tablet in the hand of J. H. Davies containing biographical extracts and notes mainly of Welsh Wesleyan Methodist interest, e.g. Edward Jones ('Edward Jones, Bathafarn'), John Jones, Dolwen, Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, and William Jones and Ellis Jones, Y Bont Ddu, Merioneth; together with rough notes of an appeal to the Welsh community at Bootle for their support for the proposed national library at Aberystwyth.

A volume in the hand of J. H. Davies containing minutes of the London Committee for the formation of a Law Department at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, June-July 1899, and of the London Committee for organising an appeal on behalf of the Welsh Library at Aberystwyth, February-April 1905. Among the insets are the Welsh Library Building Fund Appeal published by the Appeal Committee of University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, November 1904, and a typescript appeal entitled 'The National Library of Wales Aberystwyth Appeal'.

A scrap-book lettered 'Lloffion Llenyddol' compiled by John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd') and containing press cuttings under such titles as 'Y diweddar [Aneurin Jones] Aneurin Fardd', 'Anne Griffiths' (1864), 'Gweithiau Williams, Pant y Celyn', 'Beddau ein Henwogion', 'Cofgolofn Llewelyn [ap Gruffydd, 'Y Llyw Olaf']', 'Ein Gwroniaid Meirw', 'Edward Jones, Maes-y-plwm', 'Eisteddfod Llandudno, 1864', 'Dechreuad a chynnydd llech-chwarelau Llanllechid a Llandegai', 'Yr Eisteddfod', 'Elizabeth a Phrotestaniaeth', 'Llenyddiaeth Gymreig', 'Ysbryd yr oes - Cyfarfodydd Llenyddol', 'Cywreinfa i Gymru', 'Amgueddfa a Llyfrgell i'r Genedl', 'Y Proffeswr Kuno Meyer, ar iaith a llenyddiaeth Cymru', 'Llyfrgell Genedlaethol i'r Cymry', 'Elusenau y Rhiwlas a Thlodion y Bala a'r Amgylchoedd', 'Ar i bob un godi ei flodau ei hun (Darlith gan Elfed)', 'Ymgom gyda'r Athraw Owen M. Edwards', 'Rhai llyfrau a ddarllenais (Gan Proff. D. J. Evans, MA, Athens, O.)', 'Barnwr Cymreig i Gymru', 'Gorsedd y Beirdd', 'Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 1894', 'Cymdeithas Gymreigyddol Powys' (1861-2), 'Y Barnwr Vaughan Williams yn Llynlleifiad (Anerchiad ar "Y Cymeriad Celtaidd")', 'Y Llawysgrif [Codex B] yn Llyfrgell Athrofa y Bala', 'Pontrhydfendigaid', 'Pobl Fychain Fawr [y Gymry] (gan Mr T. O. Russell)', 'Llyfrgell Syr Thomas Phillipps [Middle Hill]', 'Gobebiaeth o Gymru (Gan Dr Cefni Parry)', 'Adgofion mebyd ac ieuenctyd (Gan y Parch O. R. Morris, Minnesota)', 'Y Dyn Cyntefig (Gan y Parch. D. Roberts, Cazenovia, N.Y.), 'Disgyblion Moses versus Monsieur Voltaire (Cyfieithedig gan [Thomas Williams] Asaph Glyn Ebwy)', 'Ymweliad a'r Bala', 'Fy Adgofion o Sir Benfro'. (Gan [ ] 'Ioan Medi'), 'Cilgeran fel y mae', 'Dechreuad yr Ysgol Sabbothol', 'Trysorau y diweddar Mr Nicholas Bennett', 'Darganfyddiad o hen lyfr Cymraeg gwerthfawr yng Ngheredigion', etc.

A notebook compiled by Geraint Dyfnallt Owen, [c. 1928], containing notes on, and extracts from, manuscripts of Breton interest in the National Library of Wales, with special reference to Count Théodore Hersart de la Villemarqué.

One of four volumes containing a collection of nearly two hundred letters addressed to Thomas Powel. They relate to matters of Welsh education, bibliography, philology and Celtic subjects. The principal correspondents are John E. A. Fenwick, Cheltenham, 1883; Samuel Ferguson, Dublin, 1877; Edward A[ugustus] Freeman, Wells, 1876, with an offprint of a letter on English policy in Turkey by Dr Humphrey Sandwith; F[rederick] J[ames] Furnivall, London, 1881; H[enri] Gaidoz, Paris, 1880-1883; John Griffith, Neath, 1890; C[harles] E[dward] T[homas] Griffith, Llandaff, 1919; Robert Harley, Mill Hill, 1877; D[avid] Howell, Wrexham, 1890; J[ohn] Cynddylan Jones, Cardiff, 1879; J[ames] R[hys] Kilsby Jones, 1883; Owen Jones, Llansantffraid, 1894; Rees Jenkin Jones, Aberdare, 1891; C[harles] K[emeys] Kem[e]ys-Tynte, Halswell, 1889; W[illiam] P[aton] Ker, Oxford, 1891-1892; Thomas Kerslake, Bristol, 1880; David Lewis, Llanarmon and London, 1879-1880; Sir William T[homas] Lewis (afterwards 1st Baron Merthyr), 1886 (concerning the Welsh Library Fund); Howell W[illiam] Lloyd, Kensington, 1880; James Macauley, M. D., 1882; Edmund McClure, editorial secretary of the S.P.C.K., 1882; J. J. MacSweeney, Dublin, 1882; Edward Matthews, Bonvilstone, 1876; John Hobson Matthews, Cardiff, 1890; John E[yton] B[ickersteth] Mayor, 1883; Arthur W[illiam] K[aye] Miller, British Museum, 1896; Eluned Morgan ('Eluned'), Bedlinog, 1897; Sir Lewis Morris, London, 1883; William Morris, Bloomsbury, 1877; and George [Friedrich] Müller, Bristol, 1883.

Prescription book, 1892-1899, of D. Thomas, Chemists (Cardiff) Ltd, which includes names of patients and dates alongside the formulae. The front cover bears the inscription 'Register of Members' (presumably of the Pharmaceutical Society). Inserted at the beginning of the volume is a typescript letter, dated 8 March 1950, from D. Thomas, Chemists of Cardiff to the National Library of Wales and inserted at the back of the volume (ff. 89-90 verso) is a typescript letter, dated 10 July 1902, from the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, with a printed copy of an extract from the London Gazette relating to new Society regulations passed, 5 June 1902, at Whitehall. Also included are medicinal and veterinary recipes inside the frontispiece and on f. i, together with rough memoranda on ff. 87 verso-88.

Letters, etc. addressed mainly to John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd'), the correspondents being E[benezer] Thomas ('Eben Fardd'), Clynnog to John Thomas ('Sion Wyn o Eifion'), Chwilog, 1842 (the health of the addressee's sister, mention of the Memoir) and to the Reverend Hugh Owen, Treveilir, Aberffro [sic], 1849 (re adjudicating at the Aberffro Eisteddfod (holograph copies)), D. R. Daniel, London, 1920 (submitting a short article on 'Y Clochydd', etc.), [John Daniel] 'Rhab[anian]', Rheithordy Llandudwen, 1908 (he intends to visit the addressee), ? E. L. Davies [with Archdeacon Burney], undated (personal matters, asking the addressee to write giving an account of Clynnog and N[orth] Wales generally (beginning wanting)), T. Witton Davies, Bangor, 1916 (returning the card with the handwriting of Dic Aberdaron, the writer's own researches), John Edwards ('Meiriadog'), Llanfair, [18]63 and 1883 (the earlier one possibly to [Owen Jones ('Manoethwy')], addressed here as 'Myfyr Lleyn') (items of news, he knows nothing of Angharad Lloyd, reference to his 70th birthday), D. G. Goodwin, Uffington, Shrewsbury, 1904 (the addressee's new book), T. Hopwood, Treuddyn, [19]18 (the inscription on the memorial column to the Reverend W. Williams, 'Gwilym ap Gwilym Lleyn'), E. Gurnos Jones, Newport, [18]89 (postcard), John D. Jones, Llandudno, 1914 (the manuscript 'Notes upon Carnarvonshire' by Edmund Hyde Hall), [L. D. Jones], 'Llew Tegid', Bangor, [19]20 (sending two books or booklets, 'Yr Orgraff' and a book of stories), [Owen Jones ('Manoethwy')], Llundain, 1865 (observations on the addressee's essays on the parish of Llanystumdwy (incomplete)), Owen Jones, Trefriw and Llandudno, 1875 and [18]78 (2) (he does not remember seeing the addressee's letter, a certain manuscript), R. J. Jones, Aberdare, [1921] (an expression of good wishes, his own date of birth (postcard)), T. Tudno Jones, Llandudno, 1872 (re publishing a chair awdl), W. O. Jones, Lerpwl, 1913-20 (5) (Llais Rhyddid), [? M. T. Morris], 'Meurig Wyn', undated (sending a volume for presentation to an unnamed benefactor), T. F. Roberts, Aberystwyth, 1905 (Gleanings from God's Acre, reference to the National Library), T. Shankland, Bangor, 1913 (queries concerning William Elias), Richard Williams, Glasfryn, Festiniog [sic], undated (acknowledging a letter, mention of an old book (? manuscript)), W. W., undated (genealogical matters), [ ], 'Mynyddawc', undated (Adgof Uwch Anghof), part of an elegy on [? John Jones, Llanfair Caereinion] c. 1858, by 'Teithiwr Galarus' (beginning wanting), verses and scriptural notes written on the back of two letters to Thomas Jones, 1856 and 1863, from Owen Evans, Tynycoed and Rich[ar]d Jones, Pwllheli respectively (? estate matters), 'englynion' to 'Hafan St Tudwal (St Tudwell's Roads)' by 'Seithenyn', a note by 'G-d' ['William Thomas Edwards ('Gwilym Deudraeth')] concerning D. Sion Jâms, a fragment of a letter in the autograph of [? Morris Williams ('Nicander')], 'Marwnad er Coffadwriaeth am y diweddar Milwriad Wynne Garthewyn un o Destynau Eisteddfod Llanfairtalhaiarn y dydd cyntaf o Ionawr 1855' by 'Megido', and part of an article (see also Cwrtmawr MS 932D) on 'Hugh Hughes yr Arlunydd' in the autograph of J. Spinther James.

The correspondence, 1885-1926, is very varied and reflects closely many facets of Welsh public, cultural and intellectual life during this period. There are a large number of invitations to J. H. Davies to attend various meetings, events and occasions and to deliver public lectures in Wales and beyond. He is often invited to subscribe to books and journals and to contribute to a large number of charities and worthy causes. -- After Davies's appointment as Registrar of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, in 1905, a large number of the letters relate to the college: its development, expansion, departments, academic staff, the convention of public lectures etc. A number of letters also concern the establishment and the early development of the National Library of Wales: its location at Aberystwyth, its building appeal fund, and the grant of a royal charter. -- Many of the letters are from academics, both historians and literary scholars, who write to J. H. Davies concerning their researches and writings. Welsh manuscripts and printed works feature prominently in the letters. There is a particular interest in his work on the Welsh ballads and his researches on Morgan Llwyd and Lewis Morris. -- Some letters concern the Calvinistic Methodist connexion and others the Church in Wales, especially the deliberations of the contentious Welsh Church Commission, set up in 1906, of which J. H. Davies was a member. There are also a few letters devoted to legal matters, particularly the running of the Cwrt Mawr estate. Several also concern local events and developments in the Tregaron-Llangeitho locality. A few of the correspondents are engaged in local history and family history research.

Correspondence and papers, 1926, relating to the arrangements for a superannuation scheme for Sir John Ballinger as Librarian of the National Library of Wales.

Twelve letters (two damaged), with enclosures and part of another letter, 1869-84, to D. Silvan Evans from Edw[ar]d Hamer, Talywaun and Abersychan (Pontypool) and Llanidloes (the writer's wish to have perfect copies of two poems by Huw Arwystli [sic], the 'Llyfryddiaeth' [i.e. Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry], names of rivers in Montgomeryshire, etc., reference to the Mold Eisteddfod [1873] initiating the movement for the establishment of a National Library).

Most of the letters, 1897-1926, relate to academic and research matters, many of them bibliographical queries, or to J. H. Davies's researches and publications. Some concern professional matters and developments at the Cardiff Free Libraries and later the National Library of Wales where Ballinger was the first chief librarian. Some of the later letters relate to the establishment and early growth of the National Library and to Davies's membership of its court, council and internal committees. There are many references to the National Library's campaign to secure the status of a copyright receipt (legal deposit) library and to wrest improved funding from the exchequer, and some to the deposit of the early archival collections and printed works at the Library. There are a few references to family life. A few of the letters from the Cardiff period are written by Harry Farr on behalf of Sir John Ballinger.

Most of the letters, 1897-1925, are relatively short notes, arranging meetings, giving items of news and requesting pieces of information for the author's researches. There are many references to Welsh books and manuscripts, and occasional, passing references to contemporary national and political events. There is also some discussion of the development of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, the University of Wales, and the establishment and early growth of the National Library of Wales. There are several interesting references to the selection of the venue for the National Library and the eventual choice of Aberystwyth and to the appointment of the Library's officers. Sir John also occasionally refers to the early history of the National Museum, founded at Cardiff in the early twentieth century. During 1908 and 1909 there are letters referring to meetings with D. Lloyd George, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, and John Herbert Lewis, relating to attempts to wrest improved funding for the National Library from the Liberal government.