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Seventy-two holograph letters of John Rhys from Rhyl, Oxford, etc., 1871-84, of which ten, mainly from the period 1871-2, are addressed to J. H. S[ilvan] Evans at Llanymawddwy and the remainder to his father D. Silvan Evans at Llanymawddwy and Llanwrin. Subjects of the correspondence include the writer's appointment as Inspector of Schools in North Flintshire and Denbighshire, the writer's marriage, the Principalship at Aberystwyth [College] (1872), ogham and other inscriptions, Welsh borrowings from classical languages, contributions to Archaeologia Cambrensis, charters belonging to Welsh churches preserved at Canterbury, Mr [Richard Rolt] Brash's contemptuous treatment of the writer, the resignation of the recipient (D. Silvan Evans) as editor of Archaeologia Cambrensis, the writer's appointment to the chair of Celtic at Oxford, the publication of the writer's volume [2nd ed. of Lectures on Welsh Philology, 1879], Welsh words of English origin, Cardiganshire dialects, the writer's desire to examine the Peniarth manuscripts, the position of Welsh at [St David's College] Lampeter, the desire of Mr [E. G. B.] Phillimore to consult the recipient (D. Silvan Evans)'s text of Y Marchog Crwydrad, the recipient (D. Silvan Evans)'s dictionary, copious observations on matters of Welsh etymology, personal, etc. The volume also includes an incomplete copy reply by [D. Silvan Evans], 1874, and an unsigned holograph letter of [E. L. Barnwell], Melksham [1874], both concerned with the controversy between John Rhys and Richard Rolt Brash.

Two volumes containing over one hundred and sixty holograph letters and postcards and fragments of letters from B[enjamin] Williams ('Gwynionydd') to D. Silvan Evans ('Hirlas'). The letters are addressed from a variety of places, such as Rhydlewis, Llanfihangel ar Arth, Llangeitho, Llangan, Trefilan, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Cwmdwr, Abergwennol, Llandovery, Llanddeusant, Penboyr, Pontlottyn and Llanover. The inclusive period of the letters is 1860-91 but the majority are dated within the years 1882-8. The main subjects of discussion are family bereavements and other news, South Cardiganshire pedigrees and biographies, the etymology of place and dialect names, institutions within the Established Church generally of interest to the writer, and day-to-day events and conditions of life and employment at Plas Llanofer. In addition there are copious references to other matters, such as the election of H[enry] Richard ('y dihyryn') for Merthyr [Tudful]; the recipient's edition of Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry; the writer's visits to North Pembrokeshire and South Cardiganshire parishes to examine registers; a proposed second edition of the writer's Enwogion Ceredigion; the writer's activities with the Archaeological Association; the writer's visits to Bronwydd, to St Davids, etc.; the discovery by the writer of an ogham stone at Llandygwydd; news of the family of David Owen ('Brutus'); a new lease of the writer's home at Wenallt, [in Troedyraur]; the library of D. L Wooding at Beulah; the absence of Welsh services at Llechryd Church; the writer's purchase of Tir y felin Ban [near Wenallt] on the Gogerddan estate; the death of [John Morris Jones] 'Ioan Cunllo' and the sale of his library; rumours of the appointment of the recipient to the see of Llandaff (1883); the political and religious affiliations of contemporary Welsh barristers; the reroofing of Tirabad Church (1883); the progress of the recipient's Dictionary; the award to the recipient of a Cymmrodorion medal; the consecration of Llanfair ar y Bryn Church (1883); coming-of-age celebrations at Pentre [in Maenordeifi, Pembrokeshire]; the frequency of bastard words in the work of Rhys Prichard; the proposed memorial chapel to 'Williams Pantycelyn' at Llandovery; the progress of the woollen industry at 'Felindre Siencyn y Drefach'; the reluctance of H. M. Stanley to acknowledge his Welsh origins; the shortcomings of Yr Haul; the efforts of [Richard Lewis] the bishop of Llandaff to save Y Llan; the presence of Father Ignatius in the writer's congregation; the writer's mistrust of Welsh Nonconformity; the writer's acquisition of copies of Seren Gomer at Dalar Wen, near Ystradffin; eisteddfodau at Caerwys and Abergavenny; the use of Welsh in religious services in Goettref Church; tithe disputes in Penbryn and Troedyraur; the literary knowledge of Dafydd Evans of Glynbuarth in Llangeitho; the phenomenal knowledge of plant names of Pritchard of Crynca in Llanddeusant; the erection of an iron church at Abercarn; a shield designed by Milo Griffith for presentation to the Prince of Wales, and a detailed pedigree of Miles Griffith; a secret conference at Lampeter to promote the union of the Episcopal Church and 'Y Corff' [the Calvinistic Methodists] (1889); the efforts of Mr (aft. Sir) [Joseph Alfred] Bradney at Llandeilo Croesenni to learn Welsh and to promote the learning of the language in that area; etc. At the end of the volume are verses and miscellaneous notes, and a holograph letter to [D. Silvan] Evans from Ivor P. Williams [son of 'Gwynionydd'] from Wenallt, Rhydlewis, [18]91 (the will of 'Gwynionydd').

A volume in the hand of D. Silvan Evans described on the title-page as 'Lewis Morris's Additions to Dr Davies's Welsh-Latin Dictionary (from autographs) 1879. (The original Copy, once belonging to Lewis Morris, and annotated on by him, is now (1879) in the possession of the Rev. Thomas James, LLD, ['Llallawg'], Vicar of Netherthong, near Huddersfield)'. The scribe has added the following observations: 'The additions, it will be seen, are few, and very unimportant ..', and at the end has recorded the following entry: 'Returned the Copy of Dr Davies's Dictionary lent me by Llallawg, for transcribing the preceding notes, July 30, 1879'.

Miscellaneous holograph letters, 1806-1914, written by the following: D[avid] Thomas ('Dafydd Ddu Eryri'), Waunfawr, 1806, to Dafydd Owen ('Dewi Wyn o Eifion'), Gaerwen, Llanystumdwy (contributions to Y Greal), R. H. Richards, Llanfair isaf, 1823, to D[avid] Owen ('Dewi Wyn o Eifion') (appreciation of his 'awdl' Elusengarwch, arrangements for addressee to address Cymdeithas Cymroaidd Llanfair), G[riffith] Williams ('Gutyn Peris'), Braich Talog, Llandegai, 1822, to Robert Williams ('Robert ap Gwilym Ddu'), Betws, Llanystumdwy (letters were his chief delight because his work prevented him travelling, absence of Caernarvonshire poets from the Caernarvon eisteddfod, reading old manuscripts, refers to a manuscript of Lewis Morris, a manuscript of William Elias of Plas yn Glyn in the possession of a captain at Holyhead, the manuscript of Angharad James of Penamnen, wishes to be remembered kindly to Dewi Wyn and to assure him that he was not 'Brytyn') (published in Llais Rhyddid, XIII, pp. 111-114), J[ohn] Richards ('Iocyn Ddu'), Llanerchymedd, 1824, to Richard Jones ('Gwyndaf Eryri'), Caernarvon (commends the intention to form a poetry society but warns of the dangers of disputes, has sent his opinion on the 'Awdlau ar Ymweliad y Brenhin a Môn' to the appropriate place, addressee's prize winning 'awdl' on 'Cerddoriaeth' at the Caernarfon eisteddfod of 1821), John Williams ('Sion Dwyfor'), Y Ffrwdgoch, undated, to Richard Jones ('Gwyndaf Eryri'), y Bontnewydd Gerllaw Carnarfon (possibility of writer competing at an eisteddfod, sale of (?addressee's) awdlau) (published in Llais Rhyddid, XIII, pp. 115-116), John Williams ('Ioan Twrog'), Factory, Maentwrog, 1836, to Richard Jones ('Gwyndaf Eryri'), Carnarvon, (names of competitors in a 'pryddest' competition in order of the adjudication, requires a weaver, states his rates of pay for various weaving work, [William Rees] 'Gwilym Hiraethog', Llynlleifiad, 1845, to Robert Williams ('Robert ap Gwilym Ddu'), Monachdy bach, Llangybi (enclosing 'Cywydd Anerch y godidog Brif fardd R. ab Gwilym Ddu (cf. Caniadau Hiraethog (Dinbych, 1855), pp.174-177)), [Edward Roberts] 'Iorwerth G[lan] Aled', Rhyl 1851 to [Ebenezer Thomas ('Eben Fardd')] (criticism of Richard Parry ('Gwalchmai') and his poetry), Robert Ellis ('Cynddelw') (2) to [John Edwards] 'Meiriadog', one from Sirhowy, 1851 (addressee's intention of publishing a monthly magazine Yr Hyfforddwr, denominationalism in Wales, writer was preparing a primer on Welsh prosody, writer's opinion of the 'gorsedd', writer's family), the other (a copy) from Caerynarfon, 1871 (writer preparing a biography of the Reverend J. Williams, Rhos, requests addressee's recollections of him, is considering collecting his poetry for publication in a 3/- or 4/- volume, intends finishing his commentary [on the New Testament] and to publish a book entitled Athrawiaeth y ddau Cyfammod), D[aniel] Silvan Evans, Talybont by Aberystwyth, Llangïan etc. to Ebenezer Thomas ('Eben Fardd'), Clynnog, 1843-60 (9), (writer's publication Blodau Ieuainc, commends the publication of a Welsh translation of Chambers's Information for the People, addressee's contribution to Y Brython, seeks addressee's help in collecting colloquial words and phrases for his dictionary), D[aniel] Silvan Evans, Llan ym Mawddwy, 1865, to O[wen] Jones ('Manoethwy'), (addresseee's offer to copy manuscripts in the British Museum), D[aniel] Silvan Evans, Llanymawddwy and Llanwrin etc., 1869-94 (69), to John Jones ('Myrddin Fardd'), Chwilog, with some (20) letters from John Jones to D. Silvan Evans (enquiries concerning books and words, bookbinding, receipt of books, references to other collectors and their collections viz. [Edward] Breese, E[dward] H[umphrey] Owen, [St George] Armstrong Williams, the Plas Gwyn (Panton) collection of books and manuscripts moved to Plas Hen, Llanystumdwy, 1890); Rowland Vab Owen, Trenton and Remsen, Oneida, New York, 1868-70(2), to Owen Williams ('Owain Gwyrfai'), Waunfawr, and John Roberts, Poultney, Vermont, 1871, to Owen Williams ('Owain Gwyrfai'), enclosing a letter to John Roberts from Rowland Vab Owen, Ty Seth Llwyd, Utica, 1871 (Rowland Vab Owen's searches in America concerning Abraham Williams ('Bardd Du Eryri') and information relating to Rowland Vab Owen's family in Wales) (these four letters have been published in Llais Rhyddid, Vol. XIII, pp. 41-8), W[illiam] O[wen] Jones (editor of Llais Rhyddid), Liverpool, 1914, to [John Jones] 'Myrddin Fardd', (returning two letters published in Llais Rhyddid), various writers ('Pryse] Pryse Loveden, Gogerddan, etc.), 1850-56 (12), to D. Douglas Wemyss, Dalkey, Dublin (replies to requests for help in obtaining employment).

Fifty-one letters and postcards, etc., 1886-88, to D. Silvan Evans, all except one from H[enri] Gaidoz, Paris, largely concerning material for the Revue Celtique. A few of the letters have been written from places other than Paris, among them Bala, Londres (London), Plouaret, Fontainebleau and Merthyr Tydvil [sic]. The other letter is from E. Muntz, Londres, 1871.

Twelve letters (two damaged), with enclosures and part of another letter, 1869-84, to D. Silvan Evans from Edw[ar]d Hamer, Talywaun and Abersychan (Pontypool) and Llanidloes (the writer's wish to have perfect copies of two poems by Huw Arwystli [sic], the 'Llyfryddiaeth' [i.e. Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry], names of rivers in Montgomeryshire, etc., reference to the Mold Eisteddfod [1873] initiating the movement for the establishment of a National Library).

A postcard, 1881, to D. Silvan Evans from E. Gurnos Jones, Garw Valley, Bridgend (words and their meanings), and fourteen letters and postcards from R[ees] J[enkin] Jones, Aberdare, thirteen, 1885-1901, to D. Silvan Evans (literary matters, lists of words, Thomas Davies, Llwynrheol, [Evan Evans, 'Y] Prydydd Hir') and one, 1903, to J. H. Silvan Evans (sympathy on the loss of his father).

Twenty-one letters, 1873-88, to D. Silvan Evans from [the Reverend] M[atthew] H[enry] Lee, Hanmer, Whitchurch (queries concerning various place-names, etc., enclosing a newspaper reprint on Bangor Monachorum).

Thirty-one letters and two postcards, 1890-98, to D. Silvan Evans from the Reverend D[aniel] L[ewis] Lloyd, bishop of Bangor, writing from Brecon, Bangor, Llanarth and Eastbourne (church matters, Emyniadur yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, applicants for the curacy of Llanwrin, the writer's health, etc.). Enclosed are letters, 1896, to D. Silvan Evans from J. Jones, Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil, M. Morgan Jones, Llanrug, T. Williams, Llanystumdwy and John T. Evans, Llanelly (2), and to the bishop from John Williams, Llansamlet and D. Watcyn Morgan, Morriston. There are also two letters [1899] to D. Silvan Evans from D. R. (L.) Lloyd, Llanarth (the illness and death of the writer's father). The letters have been tentatively numbered - several are not fully dated.

Thirty-two letters and one postcard, 1869-90, to D. Silvan Evans from Howel W[illiam] Lloyd (1816-93), Upper Chelsea and Kensington ('Y Marchog Crwydrad', mention of 'Llyfr Ceniarth', a manuscript containing poems by Huw Arwystli [sic], etc., bibliographical matters, his efforts to collect the poems of Guto'r Glyn, the addressee's dictionary).

Twenty-three letters, 1873-98 and undated, to D. Silvan Evans from the Reverend D. R. Thomas, Cefn Rectory, St Asaph, Meifod Vicarage, Welshpool, Canonry, St Asaph, and Llandrinio Rectory, Oswestry (matters in connection with Archaeologia Cambrensis, the Wrexham Eisteddfod, 1876, church affairs, etc.). Enclosed is a letter, 1873, to D. R. Thomas from H[owel] W[illiam] Lloyd, Clifton, Bristol.

Twenty letters, 1876-97, to D. Silvan Evans from John Jones ('Ivon'; 1820-98), Aberystwyth (the offer of Llanwrin, mention of the Bonsall family, sympathy, re a memorial to [Evan Evans] 'Y Prydydd Hir', wishing to know whether an article he (Ivon) wrote on Aberystwyth periodical publications is at Llanwrin, the second edition of Ysten Sioned, his inquiries about a dog for the addressee). Two of the letters are signed 'John a Mary Jones'. Also included are a letter, 1894, from Hughes & Son, Wrexham to D. Samuel, Aberystwyth and a copy of an extract from Y Goleuad, 1 June 1894, concerning the second edition of Ysten Sioned.

An edition of Y Marchog Crwydrad, [?ed. by D. Silvan Evans (Tremadog, 1864)], with a few manuscript notes.

A volume of transcripts compiled by David Ellis, Cricieth ('Ty newydd yn Efionydd'), during the period 1793-4. It contains 'cywyddau', 'awdlau' and 'englynion' by Deio ap Ieuan Ddu, Rhys Cain, Risiard Phylip, Ieuan Tew Brydydd, Syr Robert Myltwn, Bedo Hafesb, Ieuan Brydydd Hir, Tudur Penllyn, Ieuan Tudur Penllyn, Gutto'r Glyn, Syr Rys o Garno, Dafydd Llwyd ap Llywelyn ap Gruffydd ('Esqr. o Fathafarn'), Llywelyn ap Guttyn, Bedo Brwynllys (one of the poems 'neu Gruff. ap Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan'), Howel ap Dafydd ap Ieuan ap Rys (= Hywel Dafi), Gwilym Tew, Llowdden, Inco Brydydd, Gruffydd Hiraethog, Sion Brwynog, Lewis Morganwg, Mathew Bromfield, Lewis Daron, Simwnt Fychan, Wiliam Llyn, Lewis ap Edward, Howel Dafi, Sion ap Felpot, Huw Arwystl, Syr Lewys Meudwy, Syr Phylip Emlyn, Syr Gruffydd Fychan, Long Lewys, Huw Cae Llwyd, Sion Tudur, Gruffydd Fychan, Gwerfyl Mechain, Ieuan Deulwyn, Tudur Aled, Gruffydd Gryg, Dafydd ap Edmwnt, Ieuan Fychan ap Ieuan ap Adda, Meredydd ap Rys, Gruffydd ap Gweflyn, Dafydd Nanmor, Ieuan Gethin ap Ieuan ap Lleision, Rhys Llwyd alias Brydydd, Gruffydd Llwyd, Dafydd ap Eingion Lygliw, Ieuan ap Rys ap Llywelyn, Iolo Goch, Ieuan ap Rydderch ap Ieuan Llwyd, Edwart ap Rys Maelor, Owain ap Llywelyn Moel, Dafydd ap Ieuan Llwyd, Llywelyn Moel y Pantri, Sion Ceri, Ieuan Prichard otherwise Ieuan Lleyn, Gwilym ap Ieuan Hen, Sion ap Howel ap Llywelyn Fychan, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Fychan, Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen ('o Nannau'), Rhys Llwyd ap Rys ap Riccart, Gwilym Hen, Hywel ap Reinallt, Thomas Celli, Ellis Rowland ('o Harlech'), Howel Cilan, Sion Mowddwy, Owain Gwynedd, Thomas Derllys, Syr Ifan, Ieuan Bedo Gwyn, Sion Phylip, Wiliam Cynwal, Ieuan Clywedog, Ieuan Heiliarth, Guttyn Coch Brydydd, Lewys Môn, Lewis Trefnant, Rhys Cain, Ieuan ap Howel Swrdwal, and incomplete poems; 'Englynion y Beddau'; an English prose translation by Evan Evans ('Ieuan Brydydd Hir') of 'Cywydd Marwnad Lleucu Llwyd' by Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen, and the foregoing translation rendered into verse, inscribed to Paul Panton of Plas Gwyn in Anglesey, and published in the Chester Chronicle, 16 July, 1790, probably by Richard Llwyd 'Bard of Snowdon'; and 'Can Tâl Diolch i Dduw am yr Ysgrythyr yn Gymraeg ...' by Syr Thomas Jones. At the beginning of the volume is a list of contents ('Cynhwysiad'), an index ('Mynegres egwyddorawl') of first lines, and an index of poets ('Enwau'r Beirdd'). The greater part of the volume is based on manuscripts of Dr Griffith Roberts (1735-1808), Dolgellau (Peniarth MSS 99, 100, ?152) and on 'Cronfa Dafydd Thomas, alias Dafydd Ddu o'r Yri' (Cwrtmawr MS 72). There are annotations and additions by Owen Williams, Waunfawr, Peter Bailey Williams, Llanrug and one annotation by D[aniel] S[ilvan] Evans. The manuscript is bound uniformly with Cwrtmawr MSS 10-11 and the spine is lettered 'Dafydd Ellis MS'.

A composite volume in three sections containing 'cywyddau', 'englynion' and 'awdlau' by Dr Sion Cent, Syr Dafydd Trefor, Llewelyn Goch ab Meirig hen, Einion ap Gwalchmai, Iolo Goch, Gutto'r Glynn, Syr Rhys Drewen, Tudur Penllyn, Howel Reinallt, Syppyn Gefeiliog, Bedo Brwynllys, Howel Cilan, Morys ab Ifan ab Einion, Ieuan Brydydd hir, Tudur Aled, Ralph ap Connoay, Gruffydd Grug, Robin Ddu, Meredydd ap Rhys, Efan Fychan ab Morganwg, William (Gwilym) Cynwal, Owain Gwynedd, Sion Tudur, William Lleyn, Rhys Cain, Sion Phylip, Edmund Prys ('Arch-diacon'), Gruffydd Phylip, Edward ap Ralph, Rhichard Phylip, Lewis Glyn Cothi, Gruffydd Hiriaethog [sic], Morys ap Howel ap Tudur, Rhys Ednyfed, Ieuan Dyfi, Gruffydd Leia, Ieuan Deulwyn, Sion Brwynog, Gruffydd Ifan ab Llewelyn Fychan, Dr Sion Dafydd Rhys, Roger Cyffin, Thomas Prys (Plas Iolyn), Wmffre Dafydd ab Ifan, William Phylip, Dafydd ap Rhys, Dafydd Dafis ('gwas Owen Wynn o'r Glyn'), Ellis Rolant ('o Harlech'), Thomas Llwyd ('o Benmen'), Mr Hugh Lewis, D. D. Gwynn, Huw Llwyd Cynfal, Edward Morys, [John Davies] 'Sion Dafydd Las ('Sion Penllyn'), Owen Gruffydd, (John Roderick] S[iôn] Rhydderch, William Elias, Huw ap Huw, [John Roberts] 'Sion Lleyn', [David Thomas] 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri', Gruffudd Williams ('Gutyn Peris'), Gronw Owen, Simwnt Fychan, Huwcyn Sion, 'Nid Prydydd ... ond Gutto rhiw Fwngler', Ieuan Grffudd, Deio ap Ieuan Ddu, Rhys Llwyd ab R[hys] ab R[hisiart], Hywel ab Dafydd ab Ieuan ab Rhys ('ne Hywel Dafi neu bardd Rhaglan'), Lewis Owain ('o Dyddyn y Garreg'), Mr. Rowland Price, Sion Mowddwy, Gruffuth Parry, and Robert Edward, and anonymous compositions; 'Ychydig o hanes cyff-Genedl y cymru'; notes on 'Coptic Alphabet', 'The Syriac Alphabet', 'The Hebrew Alphabet', 'Greek Alphabet', three grades of Druids, and church inscriptions from Llaneinion (Lleyn) [i.e. Llanengan], Caernarvonshire, and Llaniestin (Anglesey); 'The names of the several churches in Anglesey and the time in which they were built'; a holograph copy of a letter from J[ohn] Thomas ['Sion Wyn o Eifion'], Chwilog to [David Thomas, 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri'], 1808 (observations on [Yr] Eurgrawn [Cymraeg]); anonymous carols; etc. The respective sections are in the hands of Robert Williams ('Robin Llys Padrig'), Abererch, Evan Prichard ('Ieuan Lleyn'), and John Thomas ('Siôn Wyn o Eifion'). Annotation by D. S[ilvan] E[vans]. Bound in at the end is a typescript alphabetical list of first lines of poems.

A collection of fragments of printed volumes compiled by D. Silvan Evans.

A printed interleaved copy of William Owen-Pughe: 'A National Dictionary of the Welsh Language': Vol. I, A-D., 3rd ed. (1866), with manuscript notes by D. Silvan Evans.

Proof sheets of a fragment of 'Preliminary Scheme for the Phonetic representation of Welsh Dialects' found amongst the papers of D. Silvan Evans.

Miscellaneous papers, mostly printed, of ?the Reverend D. Silvan Evans, comprising notices of books and subscription lists, papers relating to Church affairs, the University of Wales, Welsh literature, etc., Welsh verse, petitions, etc.

A volume in the hand of Daniel Silvan Evans (1818-1903) containing annotated extracts from manuscripts in the Llanover Collection, taken at Llanover during the period 1881-2; a vocabulary of the dialect of Lleyn; etc. Among the insets and pastedowns is a holograph letter from B[enjamin] Wil[liams] ['Gwynionydd'], Cwmdwr to [D. Silvan Evans], 1882 (a contribution by the writer to Yr Haul, personal).