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[E. Williams] to ----.

Part of a draft of a letter in which the writer names the books he owes for and tells the addressee to include these in the £10 worth. He sends his compliments to literary friends who frequent the addressee's shop, Dyer, Disney, Aikin, Mr and Mrs Barbauld, G. and W. Morgan, and all others . He thinks that he will pretty soon put a second edition of his poems to the press reduced in price and compressed into one 6s. volume. Will the addressee favour him with his opinion of such an edition and whether preferable or not to the present form in two vols? He hopes as soon as his little shop becomes pretty well known to have an order for the addressee every month (names of books crossed out). If the amount of what he has already mentioned will admit anything additional, requesting him to add a few copy-pieces for writing-schools: 'fine handwriting is a Wel[s]h Hobby-horse'. He has writing-paper of all sorts, with slates, slate pencils, glass inkstands &c. from Bristol, terra-cotta inkstands from Swansea: he cuts pens himself. The mention he has made of Dr Aikin's Essays on Song-writing in the preface to his Poems has induced several of his friends to enquire for the book. He believes the addressee told him that it is now out of print. This may add a small feather's weight to the many other inducements he hopes Dr Aikin has met with for putting a new edition to the press. Should the addressee be able to pick up a few copies he would be obliged to him for several of them.

[Edward Williams], Blue Boar, [?Cambridge], to The Rev. ----.

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.

David Davis, Neath, to Mr Edward Williams, Flimstone, near Cowbridge,

He was happy to see the addressee's friend, Mr Davis of Aber. Regret that the addressee was not present at the last committee at Swansea with his promised translation of Clarke's Answer &c. Some account of Thos Evans as requested - a disagreeable task. His conduct latterly affords more than probable evidence of the truth of the reports which have been in circulation.

Edward Williams, Penton Place, Pentonville, to Mr Hutton, Oxtead Cottage, nr Godstone, Surrey (or Pimlico).

Leaving for his perusal two little pamphlets containing an account of the Welsh Indians. His intention of undertaking, in a few months, an expedition into the interior parts of America in search of those tribes, with no other view but that of preparing the way for others (missionaries). Mrs Bowdler of Bath recommended it to him to acquaint the addressee with this and he now accordingly waits on him. Requesting a letter of recommendation to Pennsylvania from the Moravian Brethren. Copy.

W. Williams to Taliesin Williams.

W. Williams to [Taliesin Williams]. After a considerable absence from home he last night found the addressee's letter and enclosures. An invitation - the writer would then try to suggest anything which his most limited knowledge of heraldry enables him . 'It is a pity that our chroniclers personified Lleon gawr.' The Archdeacon has at the eleventh hour assented to WW's proposition of writing a history of the Celts, which he declined eight years ago.

W. Williams to Taliesin Williams.

W. Williams to [Taliesin Williams]. He hopes to have the pleasure of seeing the addressee on the evening before Christmas Day and that he will remain here some days. He has more than once mentioned to the addressee as to others that he would like (at a sale) to purchase the Myvyrian Archaiology. But as that may not occur soon he would give 30s. for the loan of the vols for 6 months.

Edward Williams, No. 22 Penton Place, Pentonville, to ----.

Asking him to subscribe to his Publication. Reference to his great obligations to Miss Bowdler, Miss H. More and many besides (at Bath). He has not made many applications yet in this town [?London]. The addressee recollects but little, if anything, of him though he has, more than twenty years ago, worked many days at Ham and lives at Flimston not above 3 miles distant. Copy.

W. Williams, Aberpergwm, to Taliesin Williams.

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.

[Edward Williams], No. 1 Star Court, Chancery Lane, to ----.

When his poems came out of the press he left only two sets at the addressee's house, one for her and the other for Mrs Scott. Why he was unable to leave more. He lately from a different source obtained a little money which enables him now to leave three sets at her house (one for Mrs Scott). He is able to send also a few sets to such of his Bath subscribers as have not yet had them and to others. Has been obliged to deliver his books himself. He has given up the idea of ever having many of the remaining half-subscriptions, indeed he will no longer lose any time in so vain an attempt, and he expects now no greater pleasure or profit from his unfortunate undertaking than that of seeing the day when all his subscribers will be possessed of their books. He hopes that in his way down to Wales through Oxford, Bath, &c., which he begins next Thursday morning he will deliver in many places the books that have too long been due. He never had the good fortune of Mrs Yearsley, whose business of procuring subscribers and collecting the money was all done by others. Creech the Bookseller of Edinburgh and others in Scotland did the same for Burns. 'How many hours have I shivered at the doors of great and opulent names waiting for the paltry sum of four shillings'. His bookseller encourages him to put a second edition to the press: having this encouragement he will not withhold a second edition because it will afford him an opportunity of making great improvements and of adding a second preface, retaining the first, in which he will introduce some things that cannot till than be made known in vindication of his conduct. He will in it do justice to those who have afforded him real patronage, Mrs Montagu, the Bowdlers, &c. The behaviour of some in Wales towards him - this he soon pardoned when he found that, like himself, they were involved in difficulties. There remains something more to be told that he has not seen any reason for pardoning - some time after his books were published a lady to whom he delivered her sets informed him that some gentlemen (and perhaps ladies) of Glamorgan and co. Mon. had written letters to Mrs Montagu and to others in London very much (or so intended) to his prejudice. To his great surprise and even satisfaction he became convinced of the truth of what he had heard. What letters the addressee received he knows not very well nor does he care what misrepresentations, what untruths they contain. He will, he hopes, be soon able to call on them from the press to publish those letters (so) that he may have an opportunity either of vindicating his character, or, if he finds himself culpable in anything, of confessing his faults. Is conscious of a bad understanding in most things, etc., but he dares face the great searcher of hearts when he says that he is not conscious of having ever indulged a single thought that was not consistent with the greatest rectitude of intention. The unparalleled delinquency of mankind. He not long ago purchased Dr Beattie's 'Minstrel' and has been charmed with it. Dr Beattie, he is told, visits the addressee: he (EW) has begged the favour of his acceptance of a set of his poems, and of the addressee's permission for them to remain at her house till she sees him (Dr B.). A recent anecdote (relating to prophet Brothers). Hearing that Brothers was in custody he (EW) out of compassion gave some account in a letter to Mr Pitt . The next day he received a letter from Mr Carthew, Mr Pitt's secretary, requesting his attendance in Downing Street. This letter he carefully keeps. He attended and told him what he knew. In a day or two he found that a (packed beyond a doubt) Jury had found the poor fellow a lunatic. Mr Kinard the druggist of Holborn, where he (EW) often buys his laudanum, was one of the Jury. His question to Mr Kinard and the reply. It is of importance to detect all delusion, but this is not the Minister's object - has had long ago some experiences of what he strongly suspects to be ministerial if not xxxxx delinquencies. His anecdotes will be deposited in proper hands and given to the public. Draft. Incomplete.

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