Edwd Williams, Flimston, to his son, Tally (Mr Taliesin Williams, Schoolmaster, near the Castle Inn, Merthyr Tydvil). Was glad to hear from several (but no thanks to the addressee) that they were all well. He has been greatly benefited by the very hot weather they have had lately, 'so hot that many people have fallen dead in the fields and highways by the Coup de soleil (stroke of the Sun)'. Reported outbreaks of a fever - he hopes it has not appeared in Merthyr. The need for rain. Is glad that Nancy did not attempt to come through such heat. He intends to see Merthyr once more if he can, and to begin his way through Cardiff in about a week, coming by short stages. He hopes Elizabeth is recovered.
Edward Williams to his son, Tally (Mr Taliesin Williams, Schoolmaster, Merthyr Tydvil). His health. Sending a better copy than that which the addressee has of 'Englynion Cynghor i wneuthur Englyn yn flasus a diddan ----: ar ddymuniad Mebyn Ieuanc o Wynedd yn Arfon ---- 1799', and an outline of the proclamation of the 1825 Merthyr Tydfil Eisteddfod. When the addressee comes he shall take with him, and keep, the Collection of Ancient Welsh Poems shown to him and Thomas Williams of Newbridge when they were here and shown at the Carmarthen Eisteddfod 'to confound Nantglyn's coxcombical sarcasm on the Glamorgan Bards', but he must not show it to any Deudneudian or friend of a Deudneudian. Asking him to buy him an almanack once more - 'Moores Almanack improved by Willis'. Repaired.
Sending a correct copy of the addressee's address to the Welsh Bards and Philologists (Cymreigyddion) - he thinks it very proper. Relating to printing the Salmau. Requesting the addressee to try to procure a pair of light crutches for him at Merthyr. His health - he will never more in all probability be able to walk but on crutches.
His reason for not adding his name to a complaint [against] Jane Thomas of the village of Flimston, widow. He very much honours the Wesleyan Church in general. Copy.
Edward Williams, Flimston, to his son Tally (Mr Taliesin Williams, Schoolmaster, Merthyr Tydvil). If the addressee would wish to see his mother once more before she dies it is necessary that he should set out immediately. EW's own health. Peggy is obliged to sit up almost the whole night and this has brought her to the brink of the grave.
Various complaints against ?the addressee (e.g. 'and it is well known who stole the Rectory house and converts into his own use'). The writer's letter to Mr Jones will be sent off on the morrow. (In a very shaky hand.).
Begging him to come and see him next Saturday without fail and to stay over Monday at least. Also asking him to bring him an almanack for 1827. Incomplete.
'As there are Rents due sufficient to satisfy your demands be pleased to raise them immediately that I may give quiet possession to Mrs Llewelin...'. Mention of E. Griff[ith] and Watkin Morgan. On the dorse are some 'Anecdotes of Lantwit'. Draft.
Not having found the addressee at College he has enclosed the Rev. Mr Mansel's note and his own Proposals. It does not seem to be worth his while to stay any longer at Cambridge, but if the addressee is willing to subscribe the Rev. Mr Haggit of Clare Hall has promised to transmit any names. On the dorse are some Welsh words with their meanings in English. Copy. Incomplete.
The pleasure with which he has read the addressee's History of Monmouthshire. Still he cannot help wishing that the addressee had been in possession of more ample documents than he had at the time. The Libraries of Havod. Sending a fragment in Welsh from a MS in Glamorgan and another in Latin from the Hengwrt Library that may be of use in a future edition. This unfortunate age. The idea that our ancient Bards are fabulous; all our fabulous writings are in prose. On the reverse side is a draft account (crossed out) of the proclamation in Sept. 1795 of an Eisteddfod to be held on Bryn Owain in the Vale of Glamorgan. 'Bryn Owain yw'r Mynydd a elwir y Stalling down wrth y Bont- faen'. Draft. ?Incomplete.
Asking him to be a subscriber for a copy or two of [Cyfrinach Beirdd Ynys Prydain]. If he could acquire a little by this publication he might possibly be enabled to open a little [?shop] in the bookselling and stationery way at Cowbridge where it is much wanted. Draft.
He has presumed to send a statement of his present circumstances. Begging him not to mention this application to anyone in this county or in Wales. He hopes that the addressee will not long hence be returned MP for Glamorgan, in which case he would not wish that anything should be known that might by any means be construed into a bribe. He has enclosed a prospectus of a work which he has had in hand for many years. The persons through whom permission was obtained for him to dedicate Poems Lyric and Pastoral to his present Majesty, then Prince of Wales. These volumes have now been 20 years out of print but he cannot publish a second edition without going to London and for this he is not possessed of the means. Draft.
Being last May in London he happened to see at the house of a friend two or three of the Rev. E. Davies's letters which the addressee has printed. In them he saw something that not a little surprised him. Still he had seen only a few of his letters - his eager wish to see the whole of them. How he applied to the addressee and was refused an answer - the cause of all this. The writer's political and religious views. He has however at last seen all or most of the letters and now through the medium of the press conveys to Mr Davies, the addressee, and the public at large his observations on them. The letter is written on a sheet containing a bill from L. Llewelyn to Mr Williams for various commodities to the value of £2.15.7 bought in 1796-1798. ?Draft.
The offer the writer made Mr Harding of the loan of all his MSS to Edward Davies. Mr Theophilus Jones plainly told him (EW) that his intend(ed) civility was ill-timed and might have been prejudicial to Ed. Reference to 'the old net ecclesiastic for catching livings, and preferments', etc. (See also letter No. 393, dorse). Draft. Incomplete.
He has been lately at Swansea where he met with a very respectable and learned gentleman who had attended the Eisteddfod at Brecon. EW had some conversation with him and more particularly on the merits of the several pieces of poetry that had appeared in competition for the premiums and medals. The gentleman observed that the best way of obviating accusations and complaints would be to print all the pieces that were sent (in). When EW observed that the expense would be considerable and the price of the book to the public very much enhanced, he said let specimens of each be printed and the whole (of) a few of them, e.g. the ode by 'Casnodyn' (= ? Wm Owen Pughe). What EW means by specimens. Whatever may be adopted he hopes the addressee will adhere inviolably to the orthography of the writer and let the public pass their own judgement on the merit (or) demerit of what comes before them. There is a monthly publication now published at Bala (Gwiliedydd) which amongst other articles reviews all new publications in the Welsh language, 'and this of all our Monthly or Periodical Publications is the best written and that by far'. The gentleman who recommended this plan pressed him to write to the addressee on the subject. P. S. The 'cywydd' of Wm Harry of Garw Dylau in Penderyn has a good deal of metrical merit and a pleasing simplicity of sentiment, etc. Draft.
A Note (draft from Tom o'Bedlam, 'a whimsical fellow', to Mrs Yearsly asking her for a little of her milk 'in hopes that it will operate like the waters of Helicon'. It is in the autograph of Iolo Morganwg and ends 'will wait this evening for the much-longed for milk - and to present Mr Meyler's compliments'. On the dorse is a copy of the title of the Rev. John Walters' Dictionary, 'Sold by J. Owen No. 168 Piccadilly', with some notes relating to the slave-trade.
Is very much surprised that the addressee does not give them the satisfaction of knowing how he is. However he supposes it was the addressee's laziness, not his ill-nature, that is the cause of it. On the dorse and above the letter are some stanzas written apparently at a later date but in an (?) older hand. EW has written 'Maeseglwys Psh Llangyvelach' and 'Dafydd or Nant' in the margin. Unfinished.
