_John Bradford_, an ingenious poet, who was admitted a disciple of the
bardic chair of Glamorgan, in 1730, being then a boy; presided in the
same chair 1760, and died in 1780. He wrote several moral pieces of
great merit, some of which he printed in the “Eurgrawn,” a magazine then
carried on in South Wales.
_Rev. Thomas Charles_, A.B., the son of a respectable farmer, in the
parish of Llanvihangel, South Wales, was born October 14, 1755. When he
was about ten or twelve years of age, his parents entertaining thoughts
of bringing him up to the ministry, sent him to school at Llanddowror,
about two miles off, where he continued three or four years. When about
fourteen years of age, his father sent him to the academy, at
Caermarthen, which he left for Oxford in 1775, where he remained about
four years. On leaving Oxford, he was engaged to a curacy in
Somersetshire, which he gave up in 1783, and removed to Wales, after a
ministry of five years. After Mr. Charles returned to Wales, he was
engaged successively to serve several churches in the neighbourhood of
Bala (where he then resided), at each of which, his evangelical preaching
giving great offence to the inhabitants, his services were declined. Mr.
Charles having been so many times deprived of the opportunity of
exercising his ministry felt no small perplexity of mind: his active
disposition would not allow him to remain wholly unoccupied. The
ignorance which prevailed among the people at Bala excited his sympathy;
he invited them to his house to give them religious instruction. He was
offered the use of the chapel by the Calvinistic Methodists, who were
then, and for some time after, connected with the Established Church:
this offer he accepted, and there he instructed and catechised the
numerous children who attended. In the year 1785, Mr. Charles commenced
preaching among the Methodists, from which period to the time of his
death his ministerial labours were very great; the effect of which are
still to be seen, and will probably continue to appear for ages to come.
Shortly after Mr. Charles left the church, he began establishing
circulating schools; they succeeded wonderfully, the whole country being
filled with them. The fruits of these schools were numerous Sunday
schools throughout the Principality. Mr. Charles prepared two editions
of the Welsh Bible, one in duodecimo, published in 1806, and another in
octavo, completed just before his death. But his greatest effort as an
author was a “Scriptural Dictionary,” four volumes, octavo. Mr. Charles
was the principal instrument in originating the Bible Society; the
exciting or moving cause of this noble institution was the great want of
Bibles, especially in North Wales. He died October 5, 1814, in the
fifty-ninth year of his age.
_Robert Davies_, better known by the appellation of Bardd Nantglyn, was
born about the year 1769. At an early period of his life he became a
votary of the Awen, which propensity was strengthened by his intimacy
with Twm o’r Nant, who always expressed a just tribute of admiration for
his poetical efforts. In the year 1800 he removed to London, and there
became acquainted with those patriotic fosterers of their native language
and customs, who instituted the Gwyneddigion Society, and he filled at
intervals the situation of their bard and secretary. The illness of his
family compelled him reluctantly to leave the metropolis, after a
residence of about four years, and return to Nantglyn, which he never
afterwards quitted. This occurrence, which was unforeseen, obliged him
to borrow a sum of money from Owain Myvyr, to defray the expenses of
removal, and shortly after he was given to understand by that generous
character, that the loan should be a gift; and this munificent donation
enabled him to build a decent cottage, which formed his domicile during
his life. When the premiums awarded by the Eisteddvodau stimulated the
bards to unwonted exertions, Robert Davies early distinguished himself,
and acquired the honour of occupying the bardic chair for Powys, at the
meeting held at Wrexham, in 1820, by his prize elegy on the death of
George the Third. The number of medals he acquired on different
occasions amounted to eleven; and in addition he received, on various
occasions, many money premiums for meritorious exertions. It would be
needless to recapitulate the various subjects on which he was a
successful competitor, as the prize poems of his composition are mostly
published in his publication entitled “Diliau Barddas,” which contains
the greater part of the productions of his muse. He likewise was the
compiler of a very excellent “Grammar,” in great esteem in the
principality. He died on 1st December, 1835, and was buried at Nantglyn,
where it is in contemplation to erect a tablet to his memory.
_John Evans_, an adventurous young man of Caernarvonshire, who, about the
year 1790, went to America, with a view of discovering the Welsh Indians,
or descendants of Madog and his followers. After surmounting many
difficulties, and penetrating about 1,300 miles up the Missouri River, he
was obliged to return to St. Louis, on the Mississippi. The commandant
there encouraged him to try another voyage, with attendants and
everything necessary to make discoveries; but unfortunately, John Evans
died of a fever there in 1797, when everything was prepared to ensure
success to his enterprise.
_Wyn Elis_, A.M., an eminent divine and poet, who lived at Y-Las-Ynys, in
Meirionethshire, from about the year 1680 to 1740. About the year 1720,
he published a small tract in Welsh of great utility, containing letters
of advice to Christian professors, with various hymns and other pieces.
Soon after, he published the “Bardd Cwsg, or the Vision of the Sleeping
Bard,” in the manner of Don Quivedo, a very popular work, which has been
reprinted several times since the death of the author.
_Rev. Evan Edward_, Aberdare, Glamorgan, an eminent Dissenting preacher,
philosopher and poet, and one of the few who being initiated into the
bardic mysteries, have helped to preserve the institution to the present
time. He died on the 21st of June, 1798, being the time fixed for him to
meet the other bards of the chair of Glamorgan.
_Sir John Glynne_, an able political lawyer in the time of Charles the
First, and during the Interregnum, was born in the year 1590. He
received his academic education at Hart Hall, Oxford, and afterwards
studied at Lincoln’s Inn, where he became a bencher. His talents were
quickly discovered by the popular party, and through the tide of
opposition, he was buoyed up above the common level. He became steward
of Westminster, was returned for two parliaments that sat in the year
1640; was made recorder of London, and at length lord chief justice of
the upper bench. Cromwell made him one of his council, and placed him on
the committee appointed to inquire into the title most proper for the
usurper to assume. He continued in office till the Restoration, when he
prudently and promptly determined to submit to the new government. After
having been one of the ablest supporters of the protectorate, he was
received by the reinstated King with the most distinguished attention,
and obtained honorary marks of royal favour, for he was appointed prime
serjeant, himself knighted, and his eldest son created a baronet. He
appears to have been of considerable service, by sitting in the
convention parliament, as a representative for Caernarvon; assisted by
his advice to obtain the act of general amnesty; and particularly in his
judicial capacity, establishing the first precedent of granting a rule
for new trial in cases where excessive damages had been awarded by the
partial, or inconsiderate verdicts of a jury. He died in the year 1666.
_Doctor Gabriel Goodman_ was a native of Ruthin, distinguished for his
various learning, but especially eminent as a linguist and divine. He
was promoted by Queen Elizabeth to the deanery of Westminster; and, with
other distinguished characters, appointed an assistant in that great
work, a version of the Holy Scriptures. By his translation of his “First
Epistle to the Corinthians,” wholly performed by him as well as other
parts assigned him, he acquired great fame; yet he obtained no higher
preferment, dying dean of Westminster after forty years’ incumbency, in
the year 1601. His regard for learned men was great, as appears from his
having helped to support Camden in his travels, who, through the dean’s
interest, was made under master of Westminster School. His desire for
perpetuating learning was no less conspicuous in the free-school founded
in his native place, and his philanthropy still lives in an hospital
established for the aged poor.
_Howell Harris_, an eminent preacher, distinguished as the introducer of
Methodism into Wales, was born at Trevecca, in Brecknockshire, on January
23rd, 1713; and being designed for the church, was admitted a student of
St. Mary’s Hall, Oxford, in November, 1735. Here, however, he remained
only during one term, at the expiration of which, he quitted the
University, with the design of entering immediately on the duties of the
clerical profession. He had by this time, apparently, imbibed the tenets
and spirit of Whitfield, and determined to propagate the doctrine of
Methodism; with this view he applied for orders, but was refused. Having
commenced his ministerial career, he came to his native place, and
exerted himself with great zeal and earnestness. His style of preaching
was much the same as that practised by the ministers of his connection,
particularly among the Welsh, who have probably taken him for their
model; it was bold, declamatory, and animated, to a degree that might
often be denominated vociferation. At a period when religious freedom
was but imperfectly understood, even by those who deprecated persecution,
a man of Mr. Harris’s active zeal for proselytism, was not likely to pass
unobserved. He was in some instances prosecuted, but more frequently
persecuted: his undaunted resolution, however, triumphed over every
opposition, and rendered impotent every attempt to reduce him to silence.
He married in the year 1730, Anne, the daughter of John Williams, Esq.,
of Screene, by whom he had one daughter. In the year 1756, when some
apprehensions of an invasion were entertained, he made a voluntary offer
to furnish at his own expense, ten light-horsemen completely armed and
accoutred, which proposal was accepted. Three years afterward, A.D.
1759, Mr. Harris himself, embarked in a military character. He was first
appointed to an ensigncy in the county militia, and afterwards invested
with the command of a company, in which were enrolled many of his own
followers. In the latter part of his life, he derived much support from
Lady Huntingdon, the warm patroness of the Calvinistic Methodists, who
came to reside in the neighbourhood. Mr. Harris died at Trevecca, July
28, 1773, and was buried in Talgarth church. In the year 1752 he formed
the plan of a religious community, something similar in its constitution
to the Moravian societies; and in the same year he laid the foundation of
Trevecca house, with a sufficient extent of buildings and garden, and
other ground to accommodate a large number of inhabitants. Here he
invited his disciples to assemble, and to invest their property in a
common fund, of which all members, as occasion might require, were
equally to participate.
_Morus Huw_ of Perthi Llwydion, near Cerrig-y-Druidion, Denbighshire, a
distinguished poet, who flourished from about the year 1600 to 1650. He
is generally considered to be the best song writer that has appeared in
Wales. Many of his compositions are in the Blodeugerdd.
_Thomas Jones_, bardd cloff (the lame bard). This highly respectable
bard was born at Mynydd Bychan (the little mountain), in the parish of
Llantysilio, Denbighshire, April 15, 1768. When quite an infant, he met
with an accident which lamed him for life—hence the appellation of the
lame bard. In 1775 Mr. Jones’s family removed to Llangollen, and Thomas
was sent to the best school in the town; in 1782 the family removed again
to Machynlleth, in the county of Montgomery. In 1780, Mathew Davies,
Esq., brought young Jones to London, and placed him in his
counting-house, in Long Acre, where Mr. Davies carried on a very large
establishment in the coach and military-lace line. Mr Jones was
exceedingly fond of reading, particularly poetry; and about this time he
began “to torment the Awen” (Muse), as he used to say; and wrote several
things both in Welsh and English. In 1789 he was elected a member of the
Gwyneddigion, and shortly afterwards he became secretary to the society.
At the time when it was regularly attended by Owain Jones, Myfyr, Dr. W.
O. Pughe, &c., who encouraged the young bard, and gave him much valuable
advice. In 1794 we find his name as one of the stewards of the festival
of Ancient Britons, and in 1801, as llywydd (chairman) of the
Gwyneddigion. In 1802 he published “An Ode of St. David’s-day,” and the
following year Mr. Davies made him the head manager of his business; a
convincing proof of the rectitude of his conduct, which was farther
testified by his becoming a partner in 1813. The Metropolitan Cambrian
Institution, founded on the basis of the Cymrodorion (established in
1750) was revived, and Mr. Jones was elected treasurer; and he gained the
gold medal offered by the society for the best poem in the Welsh
language, on its revival. In 1821 he was president of the Gwyneddigion
for the third time; and at the jubilee anniversary dinner, he was
presented with the society’s silver medal, to commemorate the event. Mr.
Jones gained several prizes at the different Eisteddvodau held in Wales.
And, after residing for a period of forty-five years (with little
intermission) at No. 90, Long Acre, departed this life February 18, 1828,
esteemed and lamented by all who knew him. Mr. Jones was an
open-hearted, generous, hospitable, benevolent man; no indigent
countryman appealed to him in vain; his name was invariably found in
every list of subscription raised for the promotion of literature, or the
relief of distress. Y bardd cloff, was, like his equally generous
countryman and friend, Mr. David Jones, of the House of Commons,
universally known by the Cymry, both in London and the principality. And
when he was gathered to his fathers, the Cymrodorion offered its silver
medal for the best approved of marwnad (elegy) on his lamented demise,
which was awarded to Robert Davies, bardd nantglyn.
_John Jones_ of Celli Lyvdy, distinguished as one of the most
indefatigable collectors of Welsh literature that have appeared among us.
He continued translating old Welsh manuscripts for a period of forty
years, as it appears from some of his volumes, which are dated variously
from the year 1590 to 1630; and of whose works in this way upwards of
forty large volumes still exist.
_Edward Jones_ was born at a farm in Meirionethshire, called Henblas, or
Old Mansion, on Easter Sunday, in the year 1752. His father was what is
generally termed a musical genius: he could not only perform on various
instruments, but he also made several. He taught two of his sons, Edward
and Thomas, the Welsh harp, another son the spinnet, and another the
violin, and he played himself on the organ—so that the “Family Concert”
was at least a tolerable strong one. Edward Jones came to London about
the year 1774, under the patronage of several persons of distinction,
connected with the principality. His performance on the harp was
considered in those days, when taste, feeling, and expression, were the
characteristic features of a lyrist, to be very superior. He met with
great encouragement, and had the honour of giving instructions to many
ladies of rank. He was appointed Bard to the Prince of Wales in 1783,
but it was merely an honorary situation.
In conjunction with Dr. Owen Pughe, Mr. Walters, and a few literary
friends, he published a volume of Ancient Bardic Lore, and Welsh Airs, in
1794, and, in four years afterwards, brought out a second volume. In
1820 he published the first part of a third volume, and had employed his
days chiefly since in preparing the remainder, so as to complete the
work; but he was not permitted to accomplish it. He had been severely
afflicted with rheumatic pains for some time, and his memory became daily
more defective; he was a very reserved man, and passed most of his time
alone, with his chamber door locked.
He had been a collector of scarce books, and possessed many valuable
ones; but his inability to follow his professional pursuits, and his high
spirit preventing him from making his situation known to his relatives,
caused him to dispose of a part of his library, on the produce of which
he subsisted.
Several friends saw that he was daily becoming an object of their
friendly attention, who endeavoured to ascertain his circumstances; but
from him they could learn nothing, notwithstanding it was pretty certain
that he passed many days without a dinner.
It became at length a duty incumbent on them to take him under their
care; a recommendation to the Governors of the Royal Society of Musicians
was promptly attended to, and an annuity of 50_l._ was granted unknown to
him. This single act of benevolence speaks volumes in favour of that
excellent institution, which was founded in 1738, with a view of
shielding the “child of song,” in the decline of life, from penury and
want; also to provide for the widows and orphans of its indigent members,
at their decease. Mr. Jones entered the society in 1778.
Mr. Parry was deputed to give him the first monthly payment. It was in
the evening when he called; he found the Bard locked in his room, at his
lodgings in Great Chesterfield-street, Marylebone, and was admitted: he
did not recollect Mr. Parry immediately, although most intimately
acquainted with him; he had his dressing-gown and night-cap on, his harp
standing by the table, on which was a blotted sheet of music paper. Mr.
Parry told him the purport of the visit, but he did not pay much
attention to it, and only asked, with much fervency, whether he knew “The
Melody of Mona,” (See Relicks, vol. i. p. 168,) a most beautiful pathetic
Welsh air, in the minor key, to which Mrs. Hemans has written an
excellent song, called “The Lament of the last Druid.” He took his harp,
and with a trembling hand,
“Struck the deep sorrows of his Lyre.”
It was impossible not to feel affected on such an occasion—the scene
reminded him of the dying hour of a celebrated Bard, who called for his
harp, and performed a most plaintive strain—
“Sweet solace of my dying hour,
Ere yet my arm forget its power,
Give to my falt’ring hand, my shell,
One strain to bid the world farewell.”
In a few days afterwards he fell in a fit; the landlady who sat in the
apartment below, heard a noise; she ran up, but could not gain admission;
the door was burst open, when the poor Bard was found lying on his face,
with a heavy chair on his back. He remained senseless for two days, and
expired without a groan on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1824, aged 72. He
was conveyed to his silent tomb, in St. Mary-le-bone burial-ground, on
the following Sunday. Mr. Jones left a number of scarce books, and much
music, which were disposed of by public auction in February, 1825, and
produced nearly 500_l._ He had, at various times previous to his death,
sold books and prints to the amount of about 300_l._, so that his whole
collection may be stated at 800_l._; an extraordinary sum, considering
the habits of the collector! Of his professional abilities, his “Relicks
of the Welsh Bards” bear ample testimony; and will convey his name, with
honour, to posterity. They are the result of forty years labour and
research; and his countrymen of the Principality may now boast, that, as
well as the Irish and the Scotch, they also have their “Melodies.”
_Rice Jones_ of Blaenau, in Meirionethshire, one of the most eminent
poets of Wales of recent times. He died in the autumn of the year 1801,
at the great age eighty-six. In the year 1770 he published a “Welsh
Anthology,” in quarto, containing choice selections from the poets of
different ages.
_Theophilus Jones_, the ingenious and learned author of the “History of
Brecknockshire,” was born Oct. 18, 1758. He was the son of the Rev. Hugh
Jones, successively vicar of the parishes of Langammarch and Llywel,
Brecknockshire, and a prebendary of the collegiate church of Brecknock.
With his grandfather, Mr. Theophilus Evans, Mr. Jones passed much of his
early life. His principal education was completed in the college school
at Brecknock. Being destined by his parents to the law, Mr. Jones, at a
proper age, was placed under the care of an eminent practitioner then
resident in the town of Brecknock; and after having passed with credit
the period of his probation, entered into the profession upon his own
account, and continued in it for many years, practising with equal
reputation and success as an attorney and solicitor in that place. Upon
a vacancy in the deputy registrarship of the archdeaconry of Brecknock,
he was appointed to that office, and held it till his death. From the
documents committed to his charge, and to which he was particularly
attentive, he derived much valuable information connected with the
parochial history of the county. After Mr. Jones commenced the history
of his county, finding that the duties of his profession could not be
attended to, and antiquarian pursuits followed at the same time, he
disposed of the attorney’s and solicitor’s business. Being now more at
liberty to pursue the great object of his ambition, he spared neither
pains nor expense to carry it into execution. There was no part of the
county into which he did not extend his personal researches, inquiring
most minutely into the natural history and antiquities of every place and
parish. The first volume of his history of Brecknockshire in quarto, was
published at Brecknock in the year 1805, and the second volume in 1809.
With the exception of two communications to periodical publications, and
two papers in the Cambrian Register, this was his only literary
production. It was his intention to publish a history of Radnorshire,
but his enfeebled state of health would not allow him to make the
necessary exertions. His last literary attempt was a translation of that
well written Welsh romance, entitled “Gweledigaethau y Bardd Cwsg,” or
Visions of the Sleeping Bard, by the Rev. Ellis Wynne. He died upon the
15th of January, 1812, and was buried in the parish church of
Llangammarth.
_David Jones_ of Trevriw, in Caernarvonshire, a poet who flourished from
about the year 1750 to 1780. He edited two collections of Welsh poetry,
one called “Diddanwch Teuluaidd,” and the other “Dewisol Ganiadau.” He
also formed a large collection of old manuscripts, which have been lately
purchased from his sons by the Rev. H. D. Griffith, of Caer Rhun, and
appropriated by that gentleman for the enriching of the Welsh
Archaiology.
_Richard Llwyd_, generally known in North Wales as the Bard of Snowden,
and Author of “Beaumaris Bay,” two volumes of poems, &c., was born at
Beaumaris, in the Isle of Anglesea, in 1752, and terminated a life
devoted to the interest and literature of his country, on the 29th
December, 1834, at his residence in Bank-place, Chester. The morning of
his days was clouded with adversity. While yet a child, his father, who
traded on the coast in a small vessel of his own, was shipwrecked, and
lost at once his vessel, his cargo, and his life!—a calamity which
plunged his surviving family in hopeless poverty and distress. The
extreme poverty of his mother precluded her from giving Richard any
education. Nevertheless, in early life his propensities for knowledge
discovered itself in a variety of ways, and in spite of the obstacles
with which he was surrounded, gave an early promise of the brightness and
ardour of his genius, and that greatness of character in which he
afterwards so eminently distinguished himself. There was, fortunately
for him, at Beaumaris, a free-school, founded by Mr. David Hughes, a man
born, like himself, in the vale of humility, but who afterwards became a
blessing to his native island. Hence he says in one of his notes to
“Gayton Wake,” I received an education of nine months, and I acknowledge
this blessing with humble gratitude as it has been to me an inexhaustible
source of happiness. At twelve years old, his mother gladly accepted a
situation for him in the service of Henry Morgan, Esq., of Henblas. Here
he remained several years, and here it was that his character was formed;
he had not many opportunities of gratifying his insatiable thirst for
reading, but such as he had he availed himself of, with unremitting zeal
and ardour. He always rose at a very early hour, and devoted the time he
thus gained to reading and studying. In temperance and frugality he was
remarkable through life, and always studied and practised it with the
utmost exactness, which gave him a constant feeling of dignified
independence. In the year 1780 Mr. Lloyd entered into the service of Mr.
Griffith, of Caer Rhûn, near Conway, as superintendent of a large demesne
and family. Mr. Griffith being in the commission of the peace, and the
only acting magistrate in an extensive district, Llwyd acted as his
clerk; this situation offered him an opportunity of pursuing his
favourite studies. Here he lived until Mr. Griffith died, and with what
he had saved, aided by bequeaths from two friends, he retired from the
world. In 1797 he published his poem of “Beaumaris Bay,” which was
extremely well received by the public, and materially added to his
pecuniary resources. Mr. Llwyd had successfully studied the antiquities
of his country, and was exceedingly well versed in heraldry, which added
to his native vivacity, wit, and good humour, made his company courted by
the first families in the principality, at whose mansions he was always a
welcome guest. In 1804 Mr. Llwyd published his “Gayton Wake,” and two
volumes of poems, “Tales, Ode,” &c., translated from the British, which
show the extent and variety of his genius, and which met with extensive
encouragement. In 1814 he married Miss Bingley, daughter of the late
Alderman Bingley, of the city of Chester, with whom he lived happily in
comfortable independence, and whom he survived about twelve months.
_William Maurice_ of Cevyn-y-Briach, in Denbighshire, a distinguished
antiquary and the assistant of Mr. Robert Vaughan, of Hengwrt, in
collecting old Welsh manuscripts. The collection made by Mr. Maurice is
now preserved at Wynnestay. He died about the year 1660.
_William Middleton_, sometimes called in Welsh, Gwilym Ganoldrev, an
eminent poet and grammarian of the family of Gwenynog, in Denbighshire,
who lived from the year 1560 to 1600. He served in the armies of
Elizabeth, and was afterwards a captain of a ship of war; and, it is
worthy of notice, that the principal work that he left behind him was
done at sea, being an elegant “Version of the Psalms,” in the higher kind
of Welsh metre. This work we find, from a note at the end of it, was
finished January 24th, 1595, in the West Indies, and was printed after
his death by Thomas Salusbury in 1603. The only other performance of
this author which has been printed is his “Grammar,” and “Art of Poetry,”
which he published in the year 1593.
_Richard Morris_, a brother of Lewis Morris, of Penros Llugwy, Anglesea,
an ingenious Welsh critic and poet. He passed the greater part of his
life as first clerk in the Navy-office; during which, he superintended
the printing of two valuable editions of the Welsh Bible. He died in the
year 1779.
_Paul Panton_, Esq., of Plas Gwyn, in Anglesea, a character distinguished
for his acquaintance with the history and antiquities of his native
country, and who left behind him a valuable collection of Welsh
manuscripts; but who was more conspicuous for his liberality in aiding
others, who pursued a similar track with himself. In addition to his own
collection of papers, he also became possessed of the books of the Rev.
Evan Evans, author of the Desertatio de Bardis, and other things, in
consequence of having settled an annuity of £20. on that child of
misfortune, towards the close of his life. Mr. Panton died in 1797, in
the sixty-seventh year of his age.
_William Parry_, some time president and theological tutor at Wymondley
Academy, Herts, was born in the year 1754, at Abergavenny, in
Monmouthshire. When he was about seven years of age, he removed with his
father to London, where he attended the ministry of Dr. Samuel Stennett.
At the age of twenty, he was introduced to the Academy of Homerton, where
Mr. Parry remained during six years, pursuing with unremitting ardour,
the studies to which he had devoted himself. On leaving the academy, he
acceded to an invitation from the church of Little Baddow, Essex, where
he was ordained in the year 1780. In the year 1798 proposals were made
to Mr. Parry by the trustees of W. Coward, Esq., to become theological
tutor in the Dissenting Academy which had for some years been conducted
at Northampton and Daventry, by Doctors Doddridge and Ashworth. An
earnest desire of extended usefulness led Mr. Parry to accept those
proposals; and in the year 1799 he took an affectionate farewell of his
beloved flock at Baddow, after having laboured amongst them for twenty
years, with great acceptance and fidelity. Mr. Parry entered on his new
and important office at Wymondley (to which place the academy was
removed). In undertaking the office of tutor, Mr. Parry did not resign
that of a minister of Christ: immediately after his settlement at
Wymondley, a small chapel was erected on the premises, where a
congregation was raised, and a church formed, over which he presided as
pastor till the time of his decease. With the exception of a charge
delivered at the ordination of one of his students, Mr. Parry appeared
but once in the character of an author. He died in the year 1818, in the
sixty-fourth year of his age.
_William Owen Pughe_, D.C.L., was born at Ty’n y Bryn, in the parish of
Llanvihangel y Pennant, county of Meirioneth, on the 7th of August, 1759.
A man who is, by universal consent, pronounced the greatest literary
character which old Cambria has ever produced at any period of time; and
this may be truly said, without detracting from the unfading renown of
our Taliesins, Aneurins, Gwalchmais, Cynddelws, Hywel Ddas, Goronwy
Owens, or any other Cambrian author, because they did not exercise their
talents, however great, in so varied and rich a field, or so extensive
and bright a sphere as Dr. Owen Pughe. The family removed to Egryn, in
Ardudwy, a short period after his birth, and there he passed his youthful
days until he was sent to school at Altringham, near Manchester; and when
arrived at seventeen years of age, he settled in London. Here he became
intimate with Owain Myvyr and others, members of the Gwyneddigion; and
projected and commenced his great work, the “Welsh and English
Dictionary.” He laboured, at intervals, upon this arduous undertaking
for the space of eighteen years, during which he read all the remains of
antiquity which could be procured to furnish materials to incorporate in
this thesaurus of the words of the Welsh language. In conjunction with
Owain Myvyr and Iolo Morganwg he became engaged in a work, which must
elicit the warmest thanks of all Welsh scholars, intended to perpetuate,
for the benefit of posterity, the existing documents of the Cymry to the
close of the thirteenth century. This splendid memorial of patriotism
and industry is entitled the Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, and has
afforded a facility for the study of British Antiquities, which will
place this department of the history of our island on a sure basis. The
Cambrian Biography, the translation of the works of Llywarchhen, and an
agricultural treatise for Mr. Johnes, of Havod, the superintendence of
the Cambrian Register, the Greal, the edition of the poems of Davydd ap
Gwilym, and numerous important communications to such works as Rees’
Encyclopædia, Warrington’s History of Wales, Hoare’s History of
Wiltshire, Britton’s Beauties of England and Wales, Campbell’s Books on
Wales, Gunn’s Tracts, Meyrick’s Cardiganshire, Cox’s Publications,
Chalmer’s Caledonia, were the fruit of his studies and indefatigable
perseverance at this period. In the year 1806, an estate in Wales
devolved to him, where, after intervals spent in London, he finally
settled. During this retirement he translated “Milton’s Paradise Lost,”
“Heber’s Palestine,” many of Mrs. Heman’s poetical pieces, &c., into
Welsh, and the “Mabinagion,” &c., into English, besides many original
productions of great merit. The University of Oxford, as a testimony of
estimation for his arduous and useful labours, conferred on him the
degree of D.C.L. He breathed his last at Dolydd y Cae, a house at the
base of Cader Idris, where he had spent a few days in the same tranquil
manner as had distinguished him through life, on the 4th of June, 1835;
thus closing a life useful to his country, and endeared to his family and
friends, at the foot of the same mountain which had witnessed his birth.
A subscription has been entered into for the purpose of raising a fund to
defray the expense of erecting a monument to the memory of the erudite
and amiable William Owen Pughe.
_Dr. David Powel_, an eminent antiquary of Denbighshire, born about the
year 1552, and educated at Oxford, where he took his degree of D.D. He
died in 1590, and was buried at Rhiwabon, of which he was vicar. In 1584
he published an English version of “Caradog’s Chronicle of Wales,” with
annotations, and some other works.
_Edward Richard_, an eminent Welsh critic, and an elegant pastoral poet,
who was a native of Ystrad Meirig, in Cardiganshire. He was the master
of a grammar school in his native village, from about the year 1735 to
the time of his death, on the 4th March, 1777.
_William Richards_, L.L.D., was born in the year 1749, in the parish of
Penrhydd, in the vicinity of Haverfordwest, county of Pembroke, South
Wales. Though the Bible was the favourite theme of his studies, his
reading was not confined to it, he made himself acquainted with the best
authors in the English language; was well versed in civil and
ecclesiastical history, and deemed an admirable critic in the
Cambro-British tongue. Having determined to devote himself to the
ministry of the gospel, he placed himself in the Baptist Academy at
Bristol in the year 1773, where he continued two years. On leaving the
academy at Bristol, Mr. Richards accepted an invitation to Pershore, in
Worcestershire, where he became assistant to Dr. John Ash, pastor of the
Baptist church of that place. In 1776 he accepted an invitation from the
Baptist church at Lynn, in Norfolk, to become their pastor, and arrived
there on the 1st of July. When Mr. Richards had been some years at Lynn,
he received an invitation to settle at Norwich, but that he declined.
After having passed forty-two years among his people at Lynn, he died on
the 13th of September, 1818, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. His
greatest effort as an author, was the “History of Lynn,” in two large
octavo volumes, embellished with engravings.
_Sir Richard Richards_, Lord Chief Baron, was born in the year 1752. In
the whole circle of the profession, no man stood higher in private
estimation, or public respect. As a lawyer and a judge, his decisions,
particularly in exchequer cases, were sound, and evinced considerable
acuteness. He long enjoyed the friendship and confidence of Lord
Chancellor Eldon, for whom, on several occasions, he presided under
special commissions as speaker of the House of Lords. He was appointed
on the fourth of May, 1813, chief justice of Chester, one of the barons
of the exchequer in 1814, and in April, 1817, on the death of Sir A.
Thomson, Lord Chief Baron, Sir R. Richards succeeded him in that high
office. He died in London, on the 11th of November, 1823.
_Grufydd Roberts_, a learned grammarian, who was educated at the
University of Sienna, in Italy, under the patronage of William Herbert,
Earl of Pembroke. He printed his valuable “Welsh Grammar” at Milan, in
the year 1567.
_Rev. Daniel Rowlands_, rector of Llangeitho, in Cardiganshire, was born
in the year 1713. He was a very distinguished minister of the gospel,
who, by the mighty power of his extraordinary eloquence, roused some of
his countrymen from that lethargy into which the whole country had sunk
as to religion. His preaching was so valued, and such the benefits
derived from it, that many flocked to hear him from every part of the
Principality. He continued rising in the public esteem till his death,
which happened on October 10, 1790. He was reputed among the Calvinistic
Methodists; but he taught particular tenets, and was the founder of a
distinct sect, now pretty numerous in Wales, and denominated Rowlandists
after his name.
_David Samwell_, an elegant poet, who was a native of Nantglyn, in
Denbighshire. He was surgeon to the ship Discovery, commanded by Captain
Cook, and was an eye-witness of the death of that celebrated navigator,
of which melancholy event he wrote a circumstantial account in the
Biographia Britannica. He died in the autumn of the year 1799.
_Rhydderch Sion_, a poet and grammarian, who lived from about the year
1700 to 1750. The latter part of his life he passed as a printer at
Shrewsbury, where he published his “Welsh Grammar,” and a small “Welsh
Vocabulary.”
_Trevredyn Sion_, an eminent divine among the Nonconformists, who
flourished as a theological writer from about the year 1670 to 1720; and
who published his opinions in a book, which is an elegant specimen of the
Silurian dialect.
_Prys Thomas_, of Plâs Iolyn, a distinguished poet who lived from about
the year 1560 to 1610. He was a gentleman of an ancient family and large
property in Denbighshire; who, being of a wild and roving disposition,
fitted out a privateer in which he went to try his fortune against the
Spaniards. It appears also from one of his poems that he was an officer
in the land service, and was at Tilbury when Queen Elizabeth reviewed the
array then assembled there.
_Davydd Edward o Vargam_, an eminent poet of Glamorgan, who was admitted
a graduate of the Gorfedd for that province in the year 1620, presided
there in 1660, and died in 1690. Many of his productions are preserved,
but his most important work is the “Augmentation of the Collection of the
Bardic Mysteries,” formed by Llywelyn o Llangewydd.
_Alderman Waithman_ was, indeed, “the architect of his own fortune.” He
was born near Wrexham, North Wales, in 1764, of parents of virtuous
character, but in humble life. His father died soon afterwards; and his
mother re-marrying, Waithman, when an infant, was adopted by an uncle, a
respectable linendraper, in Bath, and sent to the school of one Moore, an
ingenious man, the economy of whose plan of education led all his pupils
to acquire the habit of public and extemporaneous speaking. Mr. Waithman
was afterwards taken into the business of his uncle; on whose death,
about 1788, he obtained a situation at Reading, whence he proceeded to
London, and lived with a respectable linendraper until he became of age.
He then married, and opened a shop at the south end of Fleet Market,
nearly on the precise site of the monument there erected to his memory.
His activity and success next enabled him to remove to more extensive
premises, at the corner of Bridge-street and Fleet-street, where he
always honoured the high character of a London citizen and tradesman. He
retired from his business about twelve years since. He appears to have
commenced his political career about the year 1794; when, at a Common
Hall, he submitted a series of resolutions upon the war with France, and
enforcing the necessity of a reform in parliament; which resolutions were
triumphantly carried, and laid the foundation of his popularity. He was
next elected into the Common Council, where the speeches, resolutions,
petitions and addresses, which he moved and carried, would fill a
considerable volume. His friends, and his own well-directed ambition,
next prompted him to seek to represent the city of London in parliament;
but his efforts were unsuccessful, till, at the general election of 1818,
he was returned by a great majority, having polled 4,603 votes. He next
became alderman of his ward, Farringdon Without, the most considerable in
the city. At the general election, in 1820, he lost his seat by 140
votes. In the same year he served as Sheriff of London and Middlesex,
with activity and intelligence; as he filled the office of Lord Mayor in
1823–24. At the elections of 1826, 1830, 1831, and 1833 he was again
returned for the City. He died in February, 1833, and was buried in St.
Bride’s church, Fleet street. A glance at these few data of the
Alderman’s useful life will bear out the proposition that he was “the
architect of his own fortune.” He owed nothing to court, or even City
patronage; but, even amidst the turmoil of a political life, he
accumulated a respectable fortune; for, it should be remembered that he
became an active politician forty years since, or within ten years after
he had established himself in business. He was a man of unflinching
integrity and untiring industry—qualities which make their possessor rich
indeed. As an orator, he was characterized rather by fluency than finery
of language: he preferred common to fine sense, and his experience in
matters of the great stage of the world was very considerable.
_Edward Williams_, master of Rotherham Academy, was born November the
14th, 1750, at Glancllwyd near Denbigh. The rudiments of his education
he received at various schools in the neighbourhood, but having at the
age of twenty, decided on entering the Christian ministry, he was placed
under private tuition. If a few years time he was sent to prosecute his
studies at the Dissenting Academy of Abergavenny. His first settlement
in the ministry was at Ross, in Herefordshire, where he was ordained in
1776. A few years after this, Mr. Williams was requested to direct the
concerns of the seminary at Abergavenny, but as he declined that
proposal, the academy was removed from Abergavenny to Oswestry, where Mr.
Williams now commenced the delivery of a course of college lectures,
which he continued for about ten years, when he transferred the academy
to other hands, and removed to Birmingham in 1792. After spending three
years at the latter place, he received an invitation to superintend the
concerns of the Independent Academy at Rotherham, in Yorkshire, to which
station he removed in 1795, and that station he continued to occupy to
the period of his death, March 9, 1813. A diploma from Edinburgh
constituting him Doctor of Divinity, was received in 1792. Among the
numerous productions of his pen are a reply to Mr. Abraham Booth on the
“Baptismal Controversy,” two volumes, duodecimo, an “Abridgement of Dr.
Owen’s Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews,” four volumes, octavo,
an “Essay on the Equity of Divine Government, and the Sovereignty of the
Divine Grace.”
_Peter Williams_, A.M., an eminent divine among the Calvinists in Wales,
who died August 4th, 1796, in his seventy-seventh year. He published a
large quarto Welsh Bible in 1770, with copious notes, which has gone
through two subsequent editions. He also printed a small edition with
notes, also a Concordance, and several religious tracts.
_Rev. William Williams_, an eminent preacher among the Methodists, and
who was a poet of considerable genius. He published a great many tracts,
and Welsh hymns for the use of his society; the principal of which is a
work called “Golwg ar Deyrnas Crist,” published in 1761. He died about
the year 1776.
_Rev. Morris Williams_, a celebrated Welsh antiquary, was born on the 2nd
of March, 1685, in the parish of Cellan, Cardiganshire, and was the son
of the Rev. Samuel Williams, vicar of Llandifriog. The elementary part
of his classical education he received at the Caermarthen Grammar-school,
whence he removed to Oxford, and matriculated at University College, May
31, 1705. Here he took his first degree in arts in 1708; he was
afterwards incorporated in the same degree at Cambridge, and proceeded
master of arts in that University in 1718. He was ordained deacon by Dr.
Fromnel, Bishop of Norwich, a priest by Dr. Ottley, Bishop of St.
David’s. Dr. Ottley presented him to the living of Llanwenog, in the
above county, in 1715; and in 1717 he was inducted to the vicarage of
Devynock, in Brecknockshire, where, in 1718 he married Margaret Davies,
of that parish. In 1724 he exchanged this living for the rectory of
Chetton Trinity, and the vicarage of St. Mary’s, Bridgewater,
Somersetshire. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1732.
His chief reputation as a Welsh scholar and antiquary rests on the
valuable assistance he gave Dr. Wotton in preparing for publication his
edition of the Laws of Hywel Dda, the glossary to which, a very able and
learned performance, was principally compiled by Mr. Williams. His other
works comprise various theological treatises, now little known. He also
drew up a manuscript catalogue of books in the Bodleian Library at
Oxford, and a manuscript life of himself, deposited in that library. His
books and manuscripts he bequeathed to Lord Macclesfield.
_Cynwal Williams_, an eminent poet of Penmacno, Caernarvonshire, who
lived from about the year 1560 to 1600. The most interesting part of his
works is his poetical controversy with Edmund Prys, the archdeacon of
Meirionethshire; a contest that was carried on with so much feeling as
ultimately to cause Cynwal Williams to fall a martyr to the poignancy of
one of the replications of his antagonist.
_William Wyn_, A.M., an eminent poet and divine, of the family of Rhaged,
in Meirionethshire, who lived from about the year 1740 to 1760, in which
last year he died. He was the rector of Llangyhaval and Manavon, in
Denbighshire. Some beautiful compositions by him are printed in Dewisol
Ganiadau.
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