Edwd Williams, Flimston, to his son, Tally (Taliesin Williams, Merthyr Tydvil). The addressee never writes a single line to him - he would be glad to hear often from him, particularly with regard to the addressee's health. He would come up to Merthyr often if he was as able to take the fatiguing journeys now as formerly, but he is not. Has been working hard here for six weeks or more repairing the walls and setting the garden. His plans. He feels himself wearing out very fast. Has just heard from Cefn Cribwr and they (are) all well.
Begging the favour of his opinion on the subject of sacred music. His objection to using the title Reverend. The desirability of having a Unitarian Newspaper. Explaining why he has not written to Mrs Estlin and asking the addressee to mention this to her. Copy.
Is sorry that he is under a conscientious necessity of making some use of the addressee's name as one of those who strongly patronized the cause of Thos David of Coychurch. The lawful heirs of William Rees of Court Coleman. ?Copy. Incomplete.
After many obstacles Cyfrinach Beirdd Ynys Prydain is in the press at this place, and about a fourth part of it is printed off. A report that a Committee of the Cambrian Society had met and had reversed everything promised by the first Committee. How Mr Rowlands, when the writer left Carmarthen in August 1819, asked if he would leave some of his MSS with him until he (EW) returned, intimating that the addressee had expressed a wish to take the opinion of some of his learned Welsh friends. How the late Rev. Eliezer Williams asked if EW would allow him the perusal of Cyfrinach Beirdd. This he did and desired Mr Rowlands to put it into his hands as soon as the addressee's intentions had been answered. The writer's efforts to recover his books and MSS. Mr Rowlands's neglect of writing to him - by some hints that have been suggested to him by a very respectable clergyman Mr Rowlands intended to become himself the editor and publisher of the Cyfrinach. He (EW) has not the least suspicion that the addressee was aware of any such an intention of Rowlands. Draft. ?Incomplete.
Taking it for granted that the addressee will be at Carmarthen he has taken the liberty of writing to him. He was sorely disappointed at not finding him at Brecon; 'in the name of what Demon was J. Hughes appointed one of the Judges?'---- the Eisteddfodau are in general conducted on no kind of plan, why must it be so? The Institutes of Gruff. ap Cynan are only a humbug by Tudur Aled. The ode of Wms of Dolgelle. Copy.
Edward Williams, Flimston, to his son, Tally (Mr Taliesin Williams, Schoolmaster, Merthyr Tydvil, 'Per favour of Mr Richard Lewis'). An opportunity to send a letter. Will the addressee go to Mr Jenkins's printing-office and ask him or his compositor for two or three old worn-out Types. He wants them sadly and for a very important occasion: 'do not tell him that they are for me, but for your own use'. Asking him to bring them with him next week when he will be very glad to see the addressee here. Requesting him to let Nancy come here for a few days if he can possibly spare her.
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.
