1. A method how to retrieve the ancient British language, in order that
the Bards of the sixth century may be understood, and that the
genuineness of Tyssilio's British History, which was translated from the
Armoric language into Latin by Galfridus Arturius of Monmouth may be
decided; and concerning a new edition of Gildas Nennius's Eulogium
Brittanniae, with notes, from ancient British MSS. This old British
writer has been shamefully mangled by Dr. Gale, his editor, in the
Scriptores Brittannici; and not much mended by Mr. Bertram in his late
edition of it at Copenhagen.
Whether the ancient British language can be so far recovered as to
understand the most ancient British writings now extant, is, I think, a
consideration by no means beneath the notice of a society of
Antiquarians, and of all learned men in general. There has been, it is
true, an attempt of this nature made by the very learned Mr. Edward
Llwyd, of the Museum, and in part laudably executed in his Archaeologia
Britannica, which reflects honour on those worthy persons who supported
him in his five years travels into Ireland, Scotland, Cornwal, Basse
Bretagne, and Wales. But as his plan was too extensive to bring every
branch of what he undertook to perfection, I think a continuation of the
same, restrained within certain limits, might still be useful.--Natural
history is itself a province sufficient to engross a man's whole
attention; but it was only a part of this great man's undertaking: and
the learned world is abundantly convinced of the uncommon proficiency he
made in natural philosophy; and how industrious he was in tracing the
dialects of the ancient Celtic language. But still it must be
acknowledged that he did very little towards the thorough understanding
the ancient British Bards and historians. And indeed he owns himself
that he was not encouraged in this part of his intended work, as appears
by his proposals. Far be it from me to censure those very learned men
who generously contributed to support the ingenious author in his
travels, and dictated the method he was to persue. But, after all, I
cannot help lamenting that he did not pay more attention to the old MSS.
and compile a glossary to understand them. What he has done of this
nature is very imperfect, few words being added to what there are in Dr.
Davies's Dictionary, and those chiefly from writings of the fourteenth
and fifteenth century. Indeed it appears he had not seen the works but
of one of the Bards of the sixth century, and that in the red book of
Hergest, in the Archives of Jesus's College, Oxon. He complains he could
not procure access to the collections at Hengwrt and Llan Fordaf, and
without perusing those venerable remains, and leisure to collate them
with other copies, it was impossible for him to do anything
effectual.--Now the method I would propose to a person that would carry
this project into execution, is, that as soon as he is become master of
the ancient British language, as far as it can be learned, by the
assistance of Dr. Davies's dictionary, and Moses Williams's glossary at
the end of Dr. Wotton's translation of Howel Dda's laws, he should
endeavour to procure access to the great collections of ancient British
MSS. in the libraries of the Earl of Macclesfield, Lady Wynne of Wynstay,
the Duke of Ancaster, Sir Roger Mostyn at Gloddaith, John Davies,
Esquire, at Llannerch, Miss Wynne of Bod Yscallen, William Vaughan,
Esquire, at Cors y Gedol, and in other places both in South and North
Wales in private hands. By this means he would be enabled in time to
ascertain the true reading in many MSS. that have been altered and
mangled by the ignorance of transcribers. I am satisfied there are not
many copies of the Bards of the sixth century extant, nor indeed of those
from the conquest to the death of Llewelyn. But two or three ancient
copies on vellom, if such can be met with, will be sufficient; for in
some transcripts by good hands that I have seen, they are imperfect in
some copies. This would in a great measure enable our traveller to fill
up the blanks, and help him to understand what, for want of this, must
remain obscure, if not altogether unintelligible. We should by the means
of such a person have a great many monuments of genius brought to light,
that are now mouldering away with age, and a great many passages in
history illustrated and confirmed that are now dark and dubious. Whole
poems of great length and merit might be retrieved, not inferior,
perhaps, to Ossian's productions, if indeed those extraordinary poems are
of so ancient date, as his translator avers them to be. The Gododin of
Aneurin Gwawdrydd is a noble heroic poem. So are likewise the works of
Llywarch Hen about his battles with the Saxons, in which he lost
twenty-four sons, who all were distinguished for their bravery with
golden torques's. _Aurdorchogion_.
Taliesin's poems to Maelgwn Gwynedd, to Elphin ap Gwyddno, to Gwynn ap
Nudd, and Urien Reged, and other great personages of his time, are great
curiosities. We have, besides these, some remains of the works of
Merddin ap Morfryn, to his patron Gwenddolau ap Ceidis, and of Afan
Ferddig to Cadwallon ap Cadfan; and, perhaps, there may be in those
collections some besides that we have not heard of. All these treasures
might be brought to light, by a person well qualified for the
undertaking, properly recommended by men of character and learning: and I
think, in an age wherein all parts of literature are cultivated, it would
be a pity to lose the few remaining monuments now left of the ancient
British Bards, some of which are by their very antiquity become
venerable. Aneurin Gwawdrydd above-mentioned is said, by Mr. Robert
Vaughan of Hengwrt, to be brother to Gildas ap Caw, author of the
_Epistle de excidio Britanniae_ which is the most ancient account of
Great Britain extant in Latin by a native.--No manner of estimate can be
made of the works of our Bards and Historians that have been destroyed
from time to time; nay some very curious ones have been lost within this
century and a half. I think, therefore, it would be an act becoming the
Antiquarian Society, and all patrons of learning in general, to encourage
and support such an undertaking, which would redound much to their
honour, and be a fund of a rational and instructive amusement.--Nor would
those benefits alone accrue from a thorough knowledge of our Bards, but
still more solid and substantial ones. For who would be better qualified
than such a person to decide the controversy about the genuineness of the
British History, by Tyssilio, from the oldest copies of it now extant,
which differ in a great many particulars from the Latin translation of
Galfrid, who owns that he received his copy from a person who brought it
from Armorica; and why may there not be some copies of it still behind in
some monasteries of that country, and of other works still more valuable?
Mr. Llwyd, of the Museum, intended to visit them all, in order to get a
catalogue of them to be printed in his Archaeologia Britannica; but he
was prevented by the war which then broke out, of which he gives an
account in a letter to Mr. Rowlands, author of Mona Antiqua restaurata,
and which is published at the end of that treatise. Who can be better
qualified to succeed in such an undertaking than a person that is
thoroughly well versed in all the old MSS. now extant in Wales. I find
that the Armoric historians, particularly Father Lobineau, quote some of
their ancient Bards to confirm historical facts. This is demonstration
that some of their oldest Bards are still extant; and who knows but that
some of the books they took with them when they first went to settle in
Gaul, under Maximus and Conau Meiriadoc, may be still extant, at least
transcripts of some of them; for that some were carried over is plain, by
what Gildas himself says, "quae vel si qua fuerint, aut ignibus hostium
exusta, aut civium exulum classe longins deportata non compareant." So
that I would have our traveller pass two years at least in Basse
Bretagne, in order to make enquiry after such ancient monuments, and I
make no doubt but he would make great discoveries.--Thus furnished, he
might proceed to the British Museum, the Bodleian library, and the
library of the two Universities, and elsewhere, where any ancient British
MSS. are preserved. We might then have better editions of British
authors than we have had from the English antiquaries, though in other
respects very learned men; but, being unacquainted with our language,
Bards, and antiquities, they have nothing but bare conjectures, and some
scraps from the Roman writers to produce. No one likewise would be
better qualified to fix the ancient Roman stations in Britain, as they
are set down in Antoninus's intinerary, and their ancient British
names.--I wish learned men would think of this ere it be too late; for
one century makes a great havoc of old MSS. especially such as are in the
hands of private persons, who understand not their true value, or are
suffered to rot in such libraries, where nobody is permitted to have
access to them.
2. _The following curious Commission published and inserted in some of
the copies of Dr. Brown's Dissertation on the Union &c._, _of Poetry and
Music_, _and communicated from a Manuscript Copy in my possession_,
_having so near a Relation to the Family of the noble Patron of these
Poems_, _I thought it right to reprint it on this occasion_.
"By the QUEEN,
"Elizabeth, by the Grace of GOD, of England, France, and Ireland,
Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our trusty and right well
beloved Sir Richard Bulkely, Knight, Sir Rees Griffith, Knight, Ellis
Price, Esq. Dr. in Civil Law, and one of our Council in the Marchesse
of Wales, William Mostyn, Ieuan Lloyd of Yale, John Salisbury of
Rhug, Rice Thomas, Maurice Wynne, William Lewis, Pierce Mostyn, Owen
John ap Howel Fychan, John William ap John, John Lewis Owen, Morris
Griffith, Symwd Thelwal, John Griffith, Ellis ap William Lloyd,
Robert Puleston, Harri ap Harri, William Glynn, and Rees Hughes,
Esqrs. and to every of them Greeting.
"Whereas it is come to the Knowledg of the Lord President, and other
our Council in our Marchesse of Wales, that vagrant and idle Persons
naming themselves _Minstrels_, _Rythmers_, and _Bards_, are lately
grown into such _intolerable Multitude_ within the Principality of
North Wales, that not only Gentlemen and others by their _shameless
Disorders_ are oftentimes disquieted in their Habitations, but also
the expert _Minstrels_ and _Musicians_ in _Tonge_ and _Cunynge_
thereby much discouraged to travaile in the Exercise and Practice of
their Knowledg, and also not a little hindred (_of_) Livings and
Preferment; the Reformation whereof, and the putting these People in
Order, the said Lord President and Council have thought very
necessary: And knowing you to be Men of both Wisdom and upright
Dealing, and also of Experience and good Knowledg in the Scyence,
have appointed and authorised You to be Commissioners for that
Purpose: And forasmuch as our said Council, of late travailing in
some Part of the said Principality, had perfect Understanding by
credible Report, that the accustomed Place for the Execution of the
like Commission hath been heretofore at Cayroes in our County of
Flynt, and that William Mostyn, Esq. and his Ancestors have had the
Gift and bestowing of the _Sylver Harp_ appertaining to the _Chief of
that Faculty_, and that a _Year's Warning_ (at least) hath been
accustomed to be given of the _Assembly_ and Execution of the like
Commission; Our said Council have therefore appointed the Execution
of this Commission to be at the said Town of Cayroes, the Monday next
after the Feast of the Blessed Trinity which shall be in the Year of
our Lord 1568. And therefore we require and command You by the
Authority of these Presents, not only to cause _open Proclamation_ to
be made in all _Fairs_, _Market-Towns_, and other _Places of
Assembly_ within our Counties of Aglere, Carnarvon, Meryonydd,
Denbigh and Flynt, that all and every Person and Persons that intend
to _maintain_ their _Living_ by name or Colour of _Minstrels_,
_Rythmers_, or _Bards_, within the Talaith of Aberffraw,
comprehending the said five Shires, shall be and appear before You
the said Day and Place to _shew_ their _Learnings_ accordingly: But
also, that You, twenty, nineteen, eighteen, seventeen, sixteen,
fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven,
or six of you, whereof You the said Sir Richard Bulkely, Sir Rees
Griffith, Ellis Price, and William Mostyn, Esqs. or three or two of
you, to be of the number; to repair to the said Place the Days
aforesaid, and calling to you such _expert men_ in the said _Faculty_
of the _Welsh Music_ as to You shall be thought convenient, to
proceed to the Execution of the Premises, and to admit such and so
many, as by your Wisdoms and Knowledges you shall find _worthy_, into
and under the _Degrees_ heretofore (_in Use_) in semblable Sort to
_use_, _exercise_, and _follow_ the _Sciences_ and _Faculties_ of
their _Professions_, in such decent Order as shall appertain to each
of their Degrees, and as your Discretions and Wisdoms shall prescribe
unto them: Giving streight Monition and Commandment in our Name and
on our Behalf to the rest not worthy, that they return to some honest
Labour, and due Exercise, such as they be most apt unto for
Maintenance of their Living, upon Pain to be taken as sturdy and idle
Vagabonds, and to be used according to the Laws and Statutes provided
in that Behalf; letting You with our said Council look for
Advertisement, by Certificate at your Hands, of your Doings in the
Execution of the said Premises; foreseeing in any wise, that upon the
said Assembly the Peace and good Order be observed and kept
accordingly; ascertaining you that the said William Mostyn hath
promised to see Furniture and Things necessary provided for that
Assembly, at the Place aforesaid.
"Given under our Signet at our City of Chester, the twenty third of
October in the ninth Year of out Reign, 1567.
"Signed
Her Highness's Counsail
in the Marchesse of Wales."
"_N.B._ This Commission was copied exactly from the original now at
Mostyn, A.D. 1693: where the _Silver Harp_ also is."
3. _Since this Commission has been in the Press_, _the Author has had an
opportunity to see the following Account of what has been done in
consequence of such a Commission in the tenth Year of the Reign of Queen_
Elizabeth. _This is translated from the Original in_ Welsh.
Know all Men, by these Presents, that there is a Congress of Bards, and
Musicians, to be held in the Town of Caerwys, in the County of Flint, on
the twenty-sixth day of May, in the tenth Year of the Reign of her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth, before Ellis Price, Esquire, Doctor of the Civil
Law, and one of her Majesty's Council in the Marches of Wales, and before
William Mostyn, Peres Mostyn, Owen John ap Hywel Vaughan, John William ap
John, John Lewis Owen, Morris Griffith, Simon Thelwat, John Griffith
Serjeant, Robert Pulesdon, Evan Lloyd of Ial, and William Glyn, Esquires.
And that we the said Commissioners, by virtue of the said Commission,
being her Majesty's Council, do give and grant to Simwnt Vychan, Bard,
the degree of Pencerdd; and do order that Persons receive and hospitably
entertain him in all Places fit for him to go and come to receive his
Perquisites according to the Princely Statutes in that Case made and
provided. Given under our Hands, in the Year 1568.
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR
Of the preceding Work.
"In the church-yard of Llanfihangel Lledrod, situated at some distance
from Crosswood, on the other side of Ystwyth, are deposited, without
stone or epitaph, the remains of the Rev. Evan Evans, the author of
'Specimens of the Poetry of the Ancient Welsh Bards,' &c., and equally
distinguished for his genius as a poet, and his knowledge of the British
language and antiquities. He was born at Cynhawdref in this parish,
about the year 1730, and received the first part of his education at the
Grammar School at Ystrad Meirig, then under the care of the celebrated
Mr. Richards. Hence he removed to Jesus College, Oxford, towards the
beginning of 1751. He afterwards took orders, and served successively
several churches in the capacity of curate, but was never fortunate
enough to hold a living of his own. His disappointment in his profession
preyed considerably on his mind, and led him to seek an oblivion to his
vexation in excesses which impaired his health and greatly limited his
usefulness. He devoted considerable attention in early life to the study
of his native language, in which he composed several poetical pieces.
Some of these, as appears from a correspondence inserted in the 'Cambrian
Register,' were submitted to the criticism, and received the corrections
of Mr. Lewis Morris, who speaks highly of Mr. Evans's talents and promise
of future excellence. His chief literary productions are the
'Specimens,' above mentioned, which were published in 4to. in 1764. In
these he has given a literal prose version of the writings of some of the
earlier Welsh bards. For the copy-right he received thirty pounds. He
wrote also several English poems, and a great number of short poems in
Welsh, (some of which are inserted in the following pages,) and a
translation into Welsh of two volumes of sermons, selected out of
Tillotson and other eminent divines. A great part of his life was spent
in collecting and transcribing ancient Welsh manuscripts. He was
admitted to the collection of Sir Roger Mostyn, which preserves a very
great number of ancient manuscripts, of great value: he likewise copied
the works of the oldest bards, from a very large vellum manuscript,
called 'Y Llyfr Coch,' in the library of Jesus College, Oxford. He
thence also copied several valuable historical tracts of the 12th
century. He, besides what has been mentioned, explored every corner of
Wales, in quest of manuscripts, and met with considerable success; but
the neccessary encouragement, which was solicited towards putting a part
of what he had thus collected to press was withheld from him."--_Partly
extracted from Rees's Historical description of South Wales_.
We are told that the ancient Welsh MSS. which our industrious author
collected and transcribed, occupy upwards of eighty volumes. They were
purchased by the late Paul Panton Esq., of Plasgwyn, Anglesea.
Mr. Evans had a lengthy correspondence with Bishop Percy and other
eminent antiquaries; the most interesting portions of which will be found
in the following pages together with selections from his poetical works.
He was of tall stature,--hence his Bardic name of Prydydd Hir, (the tall
poet.) He was very benevolently disposed, and highly national and
patriotic, and as might be expected, was most averse to the appointment
of English prelates to Welsh dioceses. That will partly account for his
stationary position in the Establishment. His excessive love of the
'wine cup' may also have had something to do in preventing his
appointment to a more lucrative position in the Church. Mr Evans died
suddenly in the month of May 1789; some say that he perished on a
mountain; _others_ say that he died at, or near his native home; but
_none_ deny that poverty and sorrow hastened the death of our talented
but unfortunate author.