W. Williams to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. Mr Hayward of Neath will sell (if he can) 12 copies of Colyn Dolphyn without making any deduction. Telling the addressee to send Mr H. a dozen immediately, carriage paid. His belief, if the spirits of the departed have any cognizance, etc., 'that the distinguished spirit of Iolo would hover gladdened round his son when occupied in arranging what his hand had written.' Discusses the life of Iestyn.
Enclosing his original proposals, which were not printed till long after he was favoured with Sir William Jones's name (as a subscriber to his Poems). He leaves also proposals for another publication. Copy.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. Asking the addressee, if he has the Cambrian Biography, to bring with him that part of it which contains Cradock ap Iestyn. He hopes the addressee has sent the 12 books to Mr Hayward. A request for a scrap of one of the poems of Rhys goch.
W. Williams, 'Gwilym ap Rhys o Lynn-nedd', Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebelands, Merthyr. He hopes the addressee received his parcel safe. He has since thought it would be as well that the addressee should in his answer to Mr Walter Davis'letter inform him who Rhys ap Sion was and what Glyn-nedd means - why. He will not forget Meyrick's book, 'and as soon as Colin has been executed let us set to work at the translation of the poems - seven remain to be done.' Is much obliged for the addressee's kind visit.
Bardd Du Eryri and the writer intended to visit him yesterday, but the weather prevented them and today the Bardd is in the close prison of his work. The chained state of every King's Servant - he would be glad if y Du o Eryri had some place or post or means of livelihood that would give him more freedom than he enjoys at Red Wharf. The great desire of the Bardd (and of the writer also for that matter) to see the addressee at Red Wharf some day this week. Bidding him lay hold of Gruffudd Williams and bring him and any other poet or poets. Where to find the writer. An 'englyn'. Copy.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to [Taliesin Williams]. He will be glad to hear that the addressee's health continues to improve and that he is able to proceed with his task. Queries concerning a work called Barddas. The Archdeacon has engaged to write a history of the British Celts from the earliest times to the year 1000. An enclosure to be forwarded to John Williams, Dowlais.
The Committee of 'Cymdeithas Dwyfundodiaid...' meet(s) at Neath on Dec. 21 . His brother John would be very much pleased to be the Bard's fellow-pedestrian from Cowbridge.
J. L. Knight Bruce, Lincolns Inn, to the Rt Hon. C. Williams Wynne. Introducing the bearer, Taliesin Williams, whose objects in London are materials towards a History of Glamorgan.
W. Williams, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. The addressee's traethawd - 'it is uncommonly well done.' There are great mistakes in the history of Monmouthshire, chiefly in etymologies, by not paying attention to the continental Celts.
He has opened a subscription for a new edition of his Poems. For the most part he solicits no previous payment, yet, as his circumstances in life are such that without something previously received he will never be able to sit down for a few months to revise, etc., his new edition for the press, he humbly presumes to solicit from ladies and gentlemen of his native county and its vicinities the favour of previous payment. Written on the back of part of a bill (settled) from Messrs Gees & Dibbin, Bristol, to Mr Edward Williams, 5 Oct. 1795, for tobacco and snuff. Draft.
W. Williams to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe lands, Merthyr. Is in hopes in a few days to send him a few of his crude observations as a kind of premium to his essay, which the addressee may put into the fire if he finds they are foreign to the subject. There is to be a meeting at Neath on Wednesday about the registration: he will attend, to make amends for the part he took at the Election - his position was embarrassing. Will the addressee be kind enough to translate the following into easy Welsh (about the Ballot).
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.
W. Williams to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. The writer's surmise was correct, it seems - thanking him for this new proof of friendly feeling. Heraldry. He will be at Merthyr on Friday or Saturday next, by which time he supposes the books will be ready. He hopes the addressee has commenced the arrangement and list of his MSS. Aneurin Owen's offer of his father's translations &c. &c. of the Mabinogion to the MSS Society for £200. Desiring him to ask Mr Fox if he would send the two Guardians containing extracts from 'Britannia after the Romans', and they would be of service to the MSS Society. A stir at last amongst the Welsh - in 1837 the following (works) will appear.
W. Williams to [Taliesin Williams]. An invitation. Requesting the addressee, if convenient, to buy and bring with him part the second of the Mabinogion, published this day. Today is little Rees's birthday.
His vain efforts to see the addressee after being engaged by Mr Edwards of Rheola (with the addressee's assent if the writer did not misunderstand Mr Edwards) to look over some ancient writings at Briton Ferry. On the dorse are two hymns or 'psalms', one dated 2 Dec. 1821. Draft.
Should the Literary Fund Society be pleased to favour him with their already granted benefaction it would be of greater service to him than can well be imagined. Draft.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. He will be absent until Friday next and at home that day and the whole succeeding week. Could the addressee bring with him any materials he has lately written for the life of Iestin, and they could get on with them here at their leisure.
