W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams. The bearer will deliver to him two volumes of the fairy tales - the writer believes he has a third, but cannot just now find it. In one, the stories from pp. 207 to 243 were mostly, if not all, supplied by his sister to Mr Croker. Thanking the addressee for the flattering mention he makes of him in his notes - one correction. He this morning had a letter from Mr Rees of Llandovery - its contents. What is he to say to him in reply?
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe Land, Merthyr. Two books he is anxious to have for a few days. A friend of his in London writes to him to say that he has heard wishes expressed that some Welshman would publish a work elucidatory of the ancient manners, customs, and antiquities of the Welsh. He (WW) thinks that a novel would be a favourable vehicle to convey information. The addressee has imagination enough for such a work.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. He has written to Messrs Traherne and Knight. Will inform the addressee of the result of his application when their answers arrive. What he will do if they are favourable.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe lands, Merthyr. Is sorry to tell him that Mr Knight declines the trouble of writing the church history of this county. Has not heard from Mr Traherne. 'A thousand copies of "the Ballot" have been printed by subscription at Neath, a hundred at Lantrissent - was anything done at Merthyr?'. His obligation to the addressee for having inspired him with a taste for their native literature. He is delighted with the poems of Dafydd ap Gwilym - have his poems ever been translated into English verse? An attempt at a free translation of one passage. He will do all in his power to find the addressee suitable colleagues - in the meantime he entreats him to proceed gradually making notes for the life of Iestyn.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. If the addressee goes to the Swansea Cymreigyddion on Nov. 28, asking him to come here on the day before. Telling the addressee to send someone to wait the arrival of the Swansea Mail tomorrow - the addressee must insist upon having a deal box containing a silver teapot which he (WW) begs he will accept as a token of his regard.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. The addressee's account of his journey to Llanover was very entertaining. He sends herewith the MS of Hanes Iestyn (to be returned) and the four poems of Dafydd Benwyn. How long does the addressee mean to delay coming to a clear understanding with Mr Traherne about his materials? How he bitterly laments his ignorance of Welsh. The study of mythology. Is convinced that the earliest book of travels to the British Isles is Homer's Odyssey. Is there any book in which he could read the whole of the Welsh legends?.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. Is glad to hear the addressee is likely to realise something by his MSS. 'The employment of your son to copy will be of great advantage to him'. There is to be a grand Eisteddfod in June at Liverpool - will the addressee be a judge with him of the essays (English) on Iestyn? He is determined to make a desperate effort to obtain a translation of the Archaiology.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. Llandrindod would add many years to the addressee's life. Next Saturday week he hopes to see him recovered. The pleasure he has in reading Iolo. Welsh writers have sadly neglected accuracy in chronology - mention of Will Hopkin and D. Nicolas. A person has written to him for a subscription to a Celtic dictionary he is about to publish (Williams of Llangadwaladr) - what he (WW) has written to say. The addressee should now look on his papers as property. He will not ask him, now that he is unwell and occupied, to think of the history of the Myvyrian, but he would like to have it recorded what part the addressee's father had in the understanding. EW's interest in the Aberpergwm family.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. Asking the addressee to correct the mistakes in the following epitaph to an old footman of theirs, which he means to place on the chancel. He hears that exertions are going on with spirit in London to raise a Welshman to St Davids: 'if Williams does not succeed this time, it may help him for the next'.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Wellington Street, Merthyr. Was sorry to hear today that the addressee was unwell. Urging him to act as follows (to go to Bristol to consult Dr Pritchard, Red Lodge, near Park Street). The appearance of a new paper called the Swansea Journal as rival to the Cambrian. He has tried everywhere in vain to purchase the Myfyrian, but it would be fruitless to read the Gododin when he cannot understand even the English version.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to [?Taliesin Williams]. By this day's mail he sends a hare for the addressee's acceptance. He hopes his health is now restored. Since he had the pleasure of seeing him he has ridden through part of the Vale; at a public house where he stopped he saw a person who lives at Newcastle and spoke a great deal of the addressee - he thinks his name is Lewis. What progress has he made with his translations? Has also made a tour of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire. Nevern.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. He has just received an old manuscript thick book of Davydd Benwyn's poems: the writing is too old for him to make out - he perceives there are some to this family. If the addressee could come by the coach tomorrow evening (Tuesday) and remain until the next morning he will willingly pay the fare by the mail.
W. Williams to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. He hopes the addressee will favour him with his company on Saturday May 13, the day before Whit Sunday, and remain as long as (is) convenient for him. The truth is the addressee has by his publication of his poem betrayed himself - he has shown there is more stuff in him than the public knew. A Colonel Morgan who has been staying with the writer - before he spoke to him (the Col) of the addressee's poem WW found he had read it and almost knew it by heart. Relating to setting about the life of Iestyn - if the addressee will start for this premium it is full time to commence. After the addressee has sent his essay to Abergavenny, whatever be its fate he (WW) will have it printed with the addressee's consent. Mention in Froissart of a Welshman called in French Yvon Leconnet. He has had a letter from the Archdeacon - he accepts the office of Corresponding Member of the MSS Society and is about to form another in Edinburgh called the Celtic Society.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. Replying to the addressee's questions (about Leckwith, etc.). 'Miss Angharad Llwyd is going to write Hanes Iestyn ai heppill. ... Evans of Cardiff says he will try to bear away the prize for the Neath and Aberavan Castles and Abbey.' The etymology of Sovlen - the explanation offered by the man WW spoke of, a collier at Aberavan. He has made an engagement with a gentleman to make extracts from papers in (the) British Museum about this county, especially in pedigrees. He immediately recognized the addressee's friendly hints to Driw - if the addressee can without much trouble procure a copy of Gwilym Ilid's poem he would feel obliged. He hears no more of the Swansea Bardic Society.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr. An invitation. Perhaps the addressee will be kind enough to bring the additional poem of which he spoke.
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.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Merthyr-Tydfil. This morning he read the advertisement of the addressee's poem. Requesting him to put his name down for a dozen copies. A point concerning the wording of the advertisement.
W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Mr Taliesin Williams, Glebe land, Merthyr. The writer's servant will call on Monday next for the red MS book. The man has also orders to give the addressee £3 for Colyn Dolphyn: that and Britannia may be sent either on Monday or any time that suits the addressee's convenience. May his poem be an agreeable Easter offering to the public.
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.
