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Hengwrt Estate (Llanelltyd, Wales) -- Library Bards and bardism.
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Gramadeg y beirdd, etc.,

A composite volume containing miscellaneous transcripts, extracts, notes, etc., in the hand of Edward Williams ('Iolo Morganwg'). Pp. 1-60 contain a copy of the medieval Welsh metrical treatise or bardic grammar which is usually attributed to Einion Offeiriad and/or Dafydd Ddu o Hiraddug. In the present version which, according to a note on p. 61, was transcribed [by Edward Williams] from manuscript texts then in the possession of Mr. [Thomas] Richards of Llangrallo [co. Glamorgan] and the Reverend Thomas Evans of Brechfa [co. Carmarthen], the work is, however, attributed to Edern Dafod Aur. For the probable source of the present text, subsequent transcripts made of it, its attribution (probably by Edward Williams) to Edern Dafod Aur, and its connection with the version published in John Williams ('Ab Ithel'): Dosparth Edeyrn Davod Aur . . . (Llandovery, 1856), see the introduction to G. J. Williams ac E. J. Jones (gol.) : Gramadegau' r Penceirddiaid (Caerdydd, 1934), p. xv, and J. Morris-Jones: 'Dosbarth Edern Dafod Aur', The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1923 4, pp. 1-28. The other items in the volume include pp. 61-70, variant readings of the text of the above-mentioned treatise to be found in the two manuscript sources noted; 85-6, notes on Welsh poetic metres and on an 'eisteddfod' reputedly held at Marchwiail, co. Denbigh, circa 1350 or later in the fourteenth century; 87-8, a list of the contents of pp. 89-247 (previously paginated 1-161); 89-110, a version of the statute or code of rules for regulating the training and conduct of Welsh bards and musicians usually associated with the name of Gruffudd ap Cynan and here associated with the names of the said Gruffudd and Bleddyn ap Cynfyn ('. . . o Lyfr . . . Mr. Wiliam Wiliams o Landegai yn Arfon'); 110-13, notes on an 'eisteddfod' held by invitation of Rhys ap Gruffudd, lord of Dinefwr, at Cardigan (from the same source as the preceding item); 113-17, another shorter version of the above-mentioned statute with notes of subsequent confirmations by Rhys ap Tewdwr and his grandson Rhys ap Gruffudd ('O Lyfr Hywel Rhys o'r Faenor'); 118, a sketch plan showing the ? respective positions of the different grades of bards and musicians at an 'eisteddfod' and sketches of some musical instruments ('O Lyfr Hafod Ychtryd ysgrifen John Jones o'r Gelli Lyfdy'); 119-23, a further version of the abovementioned statute as reputedly confirmed at an 'eisteddfod' held at Caerwys [co. Flint], 1568 ('O Lyfr Mr. Cobb o Gaer Dydd'); 124-44, a treatise on Welsh poetic metres with the superscription 'Llyma Gyfarwyddyd Ar Fesurau Cerdd Dafawd a dynnwyd allan o Lyfrau Simwnt Fychan Bencerdd ag eraill . . .' and with a concluding note '. . . A myfi Wiliam Philip o'r Hendre Fechan yn Ardudwy a'i tynnais allan o waith yr awduron gorchestol a fuant o'm blaen . . .', transcribed from 'un o Lyfrau Mr. Cobb o Gaer Dydd yn . . . 1782'; 145-53, a further version of the statute of Gruffudd ap Cynan as confirmed at an 'eisteddfod' held at Caerwys in 1524 (recte 1523), with a list of bards and musicians licensed at the said 'eisteddfod', transcribed 'o No. 65, P.P., Yswain, Plas Newydd ym Môn' (i.e ., from Panton MS 65, now NLW MS 2031, of which see pp. 200-12] (see also NLW MS 13099B); 153-60, a list of the twenty-four Welsh strict poetic metres with illustrative examples [? transcribed from the aforementioned Panton MS 65, pp. 186-93] (see also NLW MS 13099B); 160- 64, notes on, and lists of, Welsh musical measures, etc., transcribed 'o Lyfr No. 65 Plas Newydd ym Môn' [i.e. Panton MS 65, of which see pp. 194- 200] (see also NLW MS 13099B); 164-70, anecdotes relating to Dafydd ap Edmwnt and the 'eisteddfod' held at Carmarthen [circa 1450] in the presence of Gruffudd ap Nicolas (according to the superscription 'Ex Vol. XVII, P.P. Plas Newydd, Môn' [i.e. Panton MS.17 now NLW MS 1986A], but, according to a note on p. 170, copied from an old manuscript at Plas Newydd and compared with versions in another manuscript there and a manuscript in the Hengwrt Library in the hand of J[ohn] Jones of Gelli Lyfdy [this last possibly now Peniarth MS 267 in the National Library]); 171-94, an account of the revision of the regulations relating to the Welsh bards and musicians, the rules of 'cynghanedd', and the twenty-four strict metres undertaken in connection with, or at, the aforementioned 'eisteddfod' held by Gruffudd ap Nicolas at Carmarthen, anecdotes relating to Dafydd ap Edmwnd and the said 'eisteddfod', etc., taken 'O Lyfr Iago ab Dewi yn awr gan Mr. Thomas Evans o Frechfa' (for the text of pp. 171-94 see Y Greal . . ., 1805-1806, tt. 49-61, 97-103, 151-4, and for an evaluation of the contents G. J. Williams: 'Eisteddfod Caerfyrddin', Y Llenor, cyf. V, tt. 94-5; see also IMCY, tt. 86-95); 195-9, further anecdotes relating to Dafydd ap Edmwnd and the aforesaid 'eisteddfod' at Carmarthen and an 'eisteddfod' at Nant Gonwy, notes relating to the date of the 'eisteddfod' at Carmarthen, a list of four 'eisteddfodau' held at Carmarthen, Abermarlas, and Castell Gweblai, 1452-1486, etc.; 201-35, a version of the treatise on Welsh bardic craft published by William Midleton in 1593 [Bardhoniaeth neu brydydhiaeth y llyfr kyntaf . . . ( Llundain, 1593)] with additions and variations, which are probably to be attributed to Edward Williams himself, inserted in, or appended to, the text of the original treatise (see the introduction to G. J. Williams (gol .): Barddoniaeth neu Brydyddiaeth gan Wiliam Midleton . . . (Caerdydd, 1930), more particularly tt. 42-4); 235-40, further notes on Welsh poetic metres; and 241-6, further notes relating to two 'eisteddfodau' held at Carmarthen, ?1451 and ?1461.

Llythyrau,

A volume made up of about two hundred and ten items of correspondence, 1809-1810 and 1823-1825, nearly all addressed to William Owen Pughe. Some of the letters had been cut out before pagination. Where the date is not given in the ensuing description the letters belong to the period 1823-1825. The correspondents are: pp. 461, 465, The Earl of Aberdeen, President, Society of Antiquaries of London (2) (printed notices); pp. 347, 649, 667, 683, 709, 713, Chas. V. Barnard, Islington (6) (personal and business matters, he is sorry he betrayed the secret); p. 725, Archdeacon Thos. Beynon, Llandeilo-fawr (1) (sending copies of Cerddi . . . ar y Gwanwyn (1825), with draft reply); pp. 395, 623, C[harles] Broster, N[orth] W[ales] Gazette Office, Bangor (2) (re accounts); p. 745, Nich[ola]s Carlisle, Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries (1) (the Society's thanks for the addressee's exhibition of a gold torque discovered near Cader Idris in 1823); p. 11, Tho. Chandless [London], 1810 (1) (re the writer's property in Wales); p. 63, [?Joseph Davies], 'Ioseb ab Dewi', Llynlleiviad [Liverpool] (1) (he has not yet decided what to do); pp. 173, 479, Thomas Edward, [London] (2) (acquainting him of Mr. [David] Davis (Wullt[sic])'s illness, asking him to call upon the Reverend D. Owen at Spa Fields Chapel house); pp. 165, 335, 381, 501, 671, Thos. Edwards ['Caerfallwch'], [London] (5) (he has attempted to translate Bishop Porteus's poem on 'Death', a short holiday in Southend, urging the addressee to begin an English-Welsh Dictionary, mention of various individuals); pp. 77, 103, 111, 115, 149, J[ames] Evans , [London] (5) (sending a letter received from James Hughes ['Iago Trichrug'], matters connected with the Cymmrodorion, etc.); p. 535, E[len] Fenton (daughter) (1) (mention of crops, farming stock, a narrow escape from drowning, etc.); pp. 163, 301, J[ohn] Fenton (son-in-law), Tan y Gyrt and Segrwyd [nr. Denbigh] (2) (references to members of the writer's family, requesting a Welsh translation of Heber's words 'Brightest and best of the sons of the morning', expenditure at Segrwyd); pp. 475, 663, Thos. P. Foley, Oldswinford (2, one in part to [C. V.] Barnard) (acknowledging the safe arrival of the four cases and S.W. [? Sealed Writings], a visit to Mr. Kynnersleys in Staffordshire); p. 641, R. Fox, Hawk-stone [Shrewsbury postmark] (1) (arrangements if the addressee could come there); pp. 87, 193, Job Walden Hammer, Lincoln's Inn (2) (requesting an English translation of an ode to Sir Thos. Hanmer by William Lleyn, reference to the removal of the books of the Society of Cymmrodorion from the Welsh School to the Freemasons [?Hall]); p. 169, William Hammer, [London] (1) (requesting a copy and a translation of an ancient MS in the Cymmrodorion Collection relating to Sir Thos. Hammer and also information re Karwed); p. 383, H[ugh] Hughes, Engraver, Caermarthen [sic] (1) (anxiety about a manuscript left at the addressee's house); p. 249, H. Hughes, Tysoe Street [London] (1) (apologising for not being at hand when the addressee called, mention of (printing) types and of 'his disagreeable affair'); p. 521, a printed sheet containing a list of articles which could be supplied by H. Hughes, Bookseller and Stationer, No. 15, St. Martin-le-Grand, London; pp. 85, 107, 123, 273, 387, 391, James Hughes, 'Iago Trichrug', Deptford (6, one to J[ames] Evans, Secretary of the Metropolitan Cambrian Institution) (mention of Mel Awen [by Peter Jones, 'Pedr Fardd'], his return home after a journey lasting sixteen weeks, he has translated [Robert] Blair's poem 'The Grave', sending 'englynion' for the addressee to look over, the writer's circumstances, reference to bringing two letters from [Sign Wiliam Prisiart], Plas y Brain, and to the death of David [Davis], Macclesfield Street, Thomas Jones, Liverpool, would like to have his 'awdl' back if possible); p. 573 (ending on 571), Eliza Jones [artist], Foley Place [London] (1) (the very liberal conduct of the addressee and Mr. [John] Jones, ['Tegid'] and the very elegant present); pp. 179, 419, 463, 467, 495, 503, 585, 589, 595, 621, Griffith Jones, 36 Threadneedle Street [London] (10, including circulars) (matters in connection with the Cymmrodorion, etc.); pp. 81, 145, 399, 497, 517, 563, 721, John Jones, 'Tegid', Ch[rist] Ch[urch], Oxford (7, the last including a note to Henry Morrell) (his appointment to the precentorship, mention of a visit from Mr. Wifen [sic], the translator of Tasso, literary matters, he has requested a Miss Jones to take the addressee's likeness, Welsh orthography, a transcript of part of a letter from the Reverend Rowland Williams of Meivod, re acknowledging Miss Jones for her trouble, mention of their friend [B. R.] Perkins, the melancholy fate of J. H. Parry, introducing Mr. Manse], a student of Christ Church, the living of Dolgelley, the writer is to succeed to the mastership of Ch[rist] Ch[urch] School); (continued)

pp. 7, 19, 37, Owen Jones, Myvyr, London, 1810 (3) (financial matters, mention of Tyddyn Tudur); p. 175, R. Humphreys Jones, Ruthin (1) ( sending the rules of the Ruthin Welsh Literary Society) (enclosure wanting ); pp. 67, 89, 167, 233, 297, 593, 603, Tho[mas] Jones, ['Y Bardd Cloff'], Long Acre (7) (invitations, mention of poetical compositions); p. 319, Mr . [ ] Landseer, n.d. (1) (a request for facts, chiefly dates, concerning the late Mr. [William] Sharp, engraver, for a biographical memoir for the European Magazine); p. 733, Mr. and Mrs. Lawledge, Pentonville (1) (an invitation); pp. 485, 607, William Leathart, [London] (2) (requesting a Welsh translation of an announcement concerning 'Society of Undeb Cymry', with William Owen Pughe's translation, the writer's intention to publish a collection of 'Pennillion' [sic]); pp. 245, 275, 431, John Lloyd, Brompton and Knightsbridge, probably one and the same person, (3) (repaying an old debt, his circumstances, mention of a connection with Plas Llandyfrydog, Anglesey, acknowledging a gift of books, a request concerning testimonials, reference to the death of [David] Davies, Macclesfield Street, Soho); p. 675, Angharad Llwyd, Caerwys (1) (rejoicing at the appointment of the addressee's son, an invitation to the addressee); pp. 79, 645, R[ichard] Llwyd, Caer Lleon (Chester) (2) (Angharad Llwyd's anxiety about her essay, two events produced by the death of [J. H.] Parry, Branwen's urn); p. 507, W. Marchant [printer, London] (1) (anxiety about the Transactions (of the Cymmrodorion); p. 617, R. J. Maurice, Greenwich (1) (the safe arrival of the writer's mother and family from Wales); pp. 3, 33, Samuel R. Meyrick, Chelsea, 1809-1810 (2) (queries, mention of a Nennius manuscript in the Heralds College, the vexation caused by the excess of typographical error in the History of Cardiganshire, the spiteful behaviour of [Evan] Williams the stationer in the Strand); pp. 59, 293, 367, R[ichard] Newcome, Ruthin (3) (requesting copies of poems on Dr. Gabriel Goodman); p. 127, Geo. Nightingale, London (1) (requesting information about Col[one]l Wm Tooke Harwood); pp. 15, 39, 43, 47, T[homas] H[inton] B[urley] Oldfield, [London], 1809-1810 (4) (entreating a continuation of the addressee's assistance in the work he is preparing for the press and thanking him for his valuable communications); pp. 267, 577, The Princess Olive of Cumberland (2) (she wishes to see the addressee); pp. 91, 141, 161, 269, 283, 289, 305, 315, 331, 371, 421, 491, 538, 637, 741, Aneurin Owen (son), Nantglyn, etc (15) (an account of a journey from London, crops, financial matters, the recovery of the boat on Llyn Cau near Talyllyn, the finding of a gold torque in a turbary at the foot of Cader Idris by the son of the rector of Dolgellau while shooting, replying to an enquiry about Hughes the wood engraver's book [cf. letter from H[ugh] Hughes, p. 383], mention of a magic lantern, an air ('Llwyd y gwrych'), reference to Capt. Tuck and to the addressee's unfortunate affair, visits to Nannau and Bodtalog and to see Mr. Jeffreys of Glan dyvi' s house, estate matters, Mr. Humphreys Parry's application to Col. Vaughan for permission to examine the library at Hengwrt, the death of J. Humph[r] ies Parry, hoping the addressee will not neglect to apply for Parry's post for himself or for the writer, asking about Joanna's mission (after the death of Jane Townley), mention of [Robert] Roberts, Caergybi (Holyhead), Elen and Fenton, Evan William, a noted [Merioneth] penillion singer, etc.); Isabella Owen, see under Isabella Owen Pughe; pp. 265, 481, 533, Owen Owen (brother), London (3) (invitations, mention of Mr. (?)Donthovon); p. 509, Anna Maria Parry, [London] (1) (the death of her brother John [i.e. J. H. Parry]); pp. 209, 237, 343, John Parry, 26 Oxford St. [London] (3) (re the late Edward Jones's books and manuscripts, with a note to Parry from [Samuel] Sotheby, the Cymmrodorion); pp. 71, 205, 213, 225, 253, 279, 429, 455, John H[umffreys] Parry, [London] (8) (matters in connection with the Cymmrodorion, including the Transactions, reference to having to accompany Mrs. Parry into the country (Llanvyllin) on account of her father's serious illness); pp. 95, 137, 375, Benjamin] R. Perkins, Oxford and [London] (3) (queries in connection with Antoninus's Itinerary); pp. 257, 259, S[iôn] W[iliam] Prisiart, Plasybrain (2) (the addressee's letter to him has miscarried, wishing him well in his intention to publish a new (shortened) edition of the Dictionary, the new order at Plasgwyn, developments in Anglesey, entreating a letter); (continued)

pp. 73, 131, 157, 327, 351, 409, 439, 447, 559, William Probert, Walmsley Chapel (9) (mention of his work [The Ancient Laws of Cambria], references to Robert Dunn and others, an invitation, why he used the terms Cambrian and Cambria, questions about the bardic alphabet, criticizing Telyn Dewi, requesting information about the prize medal awarded to him at the annual meeting of the Cymmrodorion in London for the best essay on Welsh pedigrees, how he attended the Powys Eisteddfod [September, 1824] on the first day, [J. H.] Parry's death, he is delighted to find that Mr. Hughes has cast a fount of bardic types, commending the decision of the Cymmrodorion to engrave the addressee's 'ardeb'); pp. 119, 413, 443, 525, 529, 539, 551, 613 (Postscript on 611), 631, 653, 658 (ending on 681), 659, 677, 691, 697, Edward Protheroe, Gaddesden and London, etc. (15) (his wish to see the addressee, mention of Welsh genealogical manuscripts, Mr. Murray and the addressee's translation of the Mabinogion, Mr. Rees's answer, criticism of the drawings); pp. 93, 287, 423, 492, 744, Isabella Owen Pughe (daughter) (5) (family matters, etc., celebrations and a fatality in Denbigh); p. 727, [William Owen Pughe ], Tan y Gyrt (1, draft reply to Archdeacon Thomas Beynon); p. 451, Richard Rees, 14 Percy Street [London] (1) (asking him to vote for Henry Woollcombe at the next meeting of the Antiquarian Society); pp. 543, 627, W. J. Rees, Cascob nr. Presteign [sic] (2) (the appeal following the death of [J. H. Parry], re safeguarding the papers probably left by him, he understands that Edward Jones's books fetched high prices, the writer's transcript of a treatise on the Lordships Marchers of Wales, mention of [John] Jenkins of Kerry); p. 425, J[ohn?] Roberts, Limehouse (1) (they are building a vessel to be called 'Carnbre Castle' and would like a figure of a Druid for the head [i.e. figure-head]); pp. 457, 547, Rob[ert] Roberts, Caergybi (2) (two requests, one for a certificate or a petition for Judith Williams, widow of the Reverend William Williams, curate of Llanelian, Anglesey, the other for specimens of paper from two (London) firms, he has a press ready to begin work on 1 May [1824], sending an almanac and also Eurgrawn Mon together with a packet for Dr. Fry); p. 29, Robt. Roy, Fulham, 1810 (1) (acknowledging receipt of a letter and a draft for £50, the addressee's nephew, Master Phillips, continues with him); pp. 403, 417, Robt. Roy Junr., Fulham (2) (acknowledging for his father the receipt of two, (5 notes); p. 55, H. V. Salusbury, Offley, Hitchin (1) (his utter ignorance of Sanscrit prevents his being of any assistance to the addressee in his philological enquiries, interest in Welsh, mention of a little essay); p. 363, Edward Scott [London] (1) (a lady [? Eliza Jones] has promised to catch the addressee); p. 581, G. Smith, for Mr. Marchant, Ingram Court [London] (1) (sending a list (enclosure wanting) showing the deficiencies of the fount of long primer cast to the addressee's order by Mr. Hughes); p. 344, Mr. [Samuel] Sotheby, 3 Wellington Street, Strand (1, to John Parry) (requesting Mr. Parry to catalogue the late bard [Edward] Jones's Welsh manuscripts on poetry, &c.); pp. 321, 355, Willm. Tassie, [London] (2) (a request for some good Welsh mottoes and devices for seals, mention of Mr. Goodman Roberts); p. 729, William Thomson, Shoreditch (1) (offering to accommodate some books for the addressee); p. 99, Jane Townley (1, addressed to Mr. Page, Westburn Green, Paddington) (she has just learnt that Mr. Troup will dine there the following day, requesting the addressee to come in the morning); p. 737, Rd. Greaves Townley (1) (acknowledging receipt of the pictures of Mr. Greaves formerly in the possession of the writer's late aunt, Jane Townley, mention of a drawing of Dr. Glyn); pp. 25, 185, 229, 405, 459, C. T[uck?] (5) (mention of having seen the addressee's mother and of hearing from her of the death of Miss Sampson [1810], re making enquiries in a dog shop, Mrs. Tuck's disorder, the writer owes nearly £12 to Mary); pp. 135, 201, 217, 221, 263, 307, 311, 323, 359, 393, 555, 599, 635, 703, 705, 717, John Tuck, Kennington Cross, etc. (16) replying to a query about John Wilks [sic], enclosing [a dream of Mary Batchelor's, see p. 241], the writer's dog 'Dash', his sister, Mary, mention of [Jane] Townley, Trupe, an interview with a Mr. Jones, etc.); p. 197, H[annah?] Walters, [London] (1) (it had been Col. Hughes's intention to call on the addressee concerning H. W.'s intended publication, a message from him); p. 153, Elizabeth William, Ruthin (1) (she has sent poultry and mutton, her wish to know at what price she could obtain a good pianoforte for the use of her daughters); p. 51, Edwd. Williams, grocer, Denbigh, 1810 (1) (arrangements in connection with the funeral of the writer's father-in-law [? Thomas Edwards, 'Twm o'r Nant']; pp. 53, 189, 471, 513, E[van] Williams, Strand, [London] (4, one dated 1810) (wishing to know what the addressee has done or means to do in the small dictionary, mention of their friend Roberts and of the Welsh School and the addressee's kinsman Phillips, the sale of Edward Jones's books, etc.); p. 435, Evan Williams, Vron Deg, Bangor (1) (acknowledging the gift of Coll Gwynfa, mention of his essay on the subject 'O Dduw y mae pob peth' [? under the pseudonym 'Idwal'], his family connections); pp. 243, 339, Fred. Lake Williams (2, one written from Pontelow Court near Newent, Gloucestershire) (asking the addressee to sign a fresh memorial to the Trustees of the British Museum, the former one having been spoiled, the work he is to do for Mr. E. Williams, his circumstances and state of health, imploring the addressee to see Mr. E. Williams and represent his situation to him); pp. 251, 377, Lewis Williams, Dolgelley (2) (re the addressee's crown rent acquittances); p. 567, Marg[are]t Williams, [Rotherhith[e] postmark] (1) (acknowledging his letter announcing the death of [Jane] Townley, she intends to return to Bideford); and p. 687, ?T. O. [ ] St. John, N[ew] B[runswick] (1) he does not know what to do next or how to act, the Governor cannot do anything for him, if he had a little money he might cultivate his farm, his obligation to [Jane] Townley for the £100).