In hopes that some of your correspondents may throw additional light on this subject, I remain yours, &c. BIOGRAPHY. GWYRFAIENSIS. To the Editors of the Archeologia Cambrensis. GENTLEMEN,-I am of opinion that your numerous readers will be pleased with the perusal of a juvenile letter of the late celebrated Welsh Poet, the Rev. GORONWY OWEN. I have read several of his letters, but never met with the present one in print. I have had the letter in my possession for several years past, given to me by a gentleman of Anglesey. I now present you with the original, accompanied with a translation for the use of such of your readers as may be unacquainted with Latin. By comparing the date of the present letter with the dates of his other letters, as well as his Poem, the age of the Poet at the time of his writing may easily be ascertained, and be a source of pleasure to the antiquary and the critic. Nevern, Pembrokeshire, June 10th, 1846. I remain, &c., TEGID. A LETTER OF THE LATE GORONWY OWEN, NEver before published. [Copy of a letter to Owen Meyrick, of Bodorgan, Esq., one of the trustees for two exhibitions out of the county of Anglesey, for the maintenance of two young men in the university of Oxford or Cambridge.-M. S.] HONORANDE DOMINE 20 Sept. 1741. Inter innumeras alias tuas virtutes, quas recensere nequeo, Egregia illa fama, quæ de te fertur in adjuvandis vestratibus Litterarum studio addictis, mihi animum addidit, ut te hoc modo vexare audeam: adolescentulus sum 18 annos natus, in Parochiâ de Llanvair in Mathavarn Eithav ortus, in agro Monensi. Summâ per pauperum parentûm industriâ apud Scholam publicam Bangorensem versatus sum ab anno 1737 ad 1741. Quo tempore ad metam propositam perveneram, manum ferulæ subduxi, et ad parentes me contuli. Matre autem defuncta, Pater uxorem duxit, Egoque sine cortice nare coactus sum; et laborem parum assuetus, nescio quomodo victum quæram: Litteræ mihi nihil aliud sunt nisi addita lumina, quibus miseriam meam magis perspicuè prospicio. Malè collato beneficio me parentes non rectè educarunt; me post hac æstimo infeliciorem ullo agriculâ, rerum suarum bene perito, nî Maecenas quidam tempestivam opem mihi tulerit. Ad te igitur me supplicem confero, auxilium petitum, quippe qui curator es quorundam charitatis donorum, datorum e benignitate in usum pauperum, litteris imbutorum, ut ad Academiam mittantur; quæ si assequi possem officii cujusdam aut Ecclesiastici aut ejusmodi ingenui, me capacem redderent. Si paupertas pro merito habeatur, nescio quin Ego nisi tuo favore dignissimus. Sum, Humanissime Vir, tibi GORONWY OWEN. Translation. HONOURED SIR,-Among your numerous other virtues, which I cannot recount, that noble reputation which you enjoy of assisting your countrymen who are addicted to literary pursuits, has given me courage to trespass on you in this manner. I am a young man, eighteen years of age, born in the parish of Llanvair Mathavarn Eithav, in the county of Anglesey. By the unwearied industry of my parents, who are exceedingly poor, I was enabled to attend the Public School at Bangor, North Wales, from the year 1737 to 1741. At this time, I had reached the limit proposed to me there, and gone through the studies of the School; and then returned to my parents. My mother was dead, and my father married to another wife; and I was left to struggle on alone. Unaccustomed as I am to labour, I see before me no means of getting a livelihood; and learning is no more to me than an additional light, by which I discern more clearly the wretchedness that awaits me. The benefits my parents have conferred on me are injuries, and my education quite unfitted for me; and I must look upon myself as more unhappy than any country labourer, who has learnt his business, if some Mæcenas does not afford me seasonable aid. I come, therefore, as a suppliant to you, to beg your assistance, as you are Trustee to some charitable donations, kindly given for the service of the studious among the poor, that they may be sent to one of the Universities. If I can obtain this, it may fit me for some liberal profession, whether in the Church or elsewhere. If poverty be esteemed a merit, I know not that I am not, more than any one else, deserving of your favour. I am, most kind Sir, your very obedient and humble servant, To Owen Meyrick, Esq., Duke-street, London. GORONWY OWEN. Miscellaneous Antiquarian Notices. COUNTY SURVEYS. We earnestly call the attention of our Antiquarian correspondents, to the desirableness of setting about careful local surveys of Welsh Antiquities. Not a week passes but we hear of some contemplated alterations, mutilations, or destruction of some relic of antiquity; and therefore, the necessity of preserving some sufficient account, and delineation of the monuments of the country, is always on the increase. The doing of this is a most pleasing, and by no means a difficult task; a knowledge of picturesque drawing is not at all indispensable: what is most required, is accuracy of observation, and exactitude of admeasurement. Any Antiquary taking merely his own parish, may find agreeable occupation in it, perhaps, for weeks; and he may then easily extend his survey into other districts. As an instance, of what may be done in this way, we will point to the labours of one of our contributors, the Author of the article entitled "Mona Mediæva." He has visited every parish in Anglesey, (upwards of seventy in number), and has carefully surveyed, measured, and drawn architecturally every medieval building in that island, with only three or four exceptions. And yet all this has been accomplished on foot, and in not more than sixty days' operations in the field, spread over a period of three years. He is now engaged in a similar undertaking for Caernarvonshire. We wish that we could incite some of our correspondents to undertake any one of the other counties of Wales; Pembrokeshire, for instance, or Radnorshire, or Montgomeryshire. No one, who has not actually aided in such operations, can imagine how much satisfaction and real good may result from such a systematic undertaking,-nor how much valuable information, even the most accomplished architect may gain, by examining as a series the parochial churches of any, even a poor, district. We hope that this appeal will not be in vain; and we can assure our correspondents, that any advice or assistance, which it may be in our power to give, (and we do not grudge our labour), will be always at their service. FAMILY OF CROMWELL. A learned correspondent, in adverting to our notice of the family of the Protector, No. I. p. 46, says: "Morgan Williams, who married the sister of Thomas Cromwell, lived at a house called Cwm Castell, in the parish of Newchurch, Caermarthenshire, and was descended from Cadwgan ab Bleddyn, second son of Bleddyn ab Cynfyn, founder of the third royal tribe. About five and forty years ago I walked to that house from Caermarthen and back; but was then not sufficiently versed in domestic architecture to notice the date of the present building. Robert adopted the business of a brewer to make up for the deficiency of his fortune." HERALDRY.-The coat of arms mentioned in Mona Mediceva, No. II. p. 164, as "Gules, a chevron arg. between three stags' heads," belongs to Iarddur, lord of Llechwedd Ucha, in Caernarvonshire. From him were descended the Coetmors of Coetmore, Lloyds of Rowtyn, Owens of Garth y Medd, in Abergeleu, Prices of Ffynogion, Prydderchs of Myvinian in Anglesey, Wynns of Penhesken, and Jones of Beaumarais. LLANENGAN CHURCH, CAERNARVONSHIRE.-This valuable building (of the fifteenth century?) is, we understand, about to be thoroughly repaired, or rather restored. This is an operation of no small difficulty, inasmuch as an architect may be tempted to allow his zeal for construction to go too far, and may destroy better parts than he can replace. We are assured, however, that in the present instance due care will be taken not to injure the building; and that the restoration of decayed portions will be made in strict accordance with the general style of the edifice. A small gold coin of William III. was dug up a short time since, in the parish of Nerquis, in Flintshire. A correspondent requests us to procure for him some information about the Roman roads and stations in Brecknockshire. We recommend to the notice of our readers in that county the paper on Roman remains published in a former part of this present number. Another correspondent has enquired of us whether any traces of a Roman port or naval station are to be met with in Pembrokeshire. Perhaps some of our friends near Pembroke or Tenby may be able to answer him. Meantime we refer him to Fenton's Pembrokeshire, and to Brewer's Introduction to the Beauties of England and Wales, provided he cannot find Horsley's Britannia Romana. A volume of Poems and Songs, in Welsh, may shortly be expected, we undersand, from the pen of Mr. D. S. Evans, of St. David's College, Llampeter. The History of Valle Crucis Abbey, by the Rev. J. Williams, which appeared in No. I. of the Archeologia Cambrensis, has been reprinted, and is now selling at the Abbey, as a Guide Book to that interesting ruin. also be had of the publisher, through any bookseller, price sixpence. It can We recommend to our readers, for perusal, The Essayist, a Welsh quarterly work of great merit, and always containing interesting matter, published at Denbigh. [PUBLICATION OF THE ARCHEOLOGIA CAMBRENSIS.-We have received several complaints from correspondents of the irregularity with which their local booksellers supplied them with the last number of our Work; and we understand that the booksellers throw the blame on their London agents. We beg leave to state that the second number of the Archæologia Cambrensis was ready for publication several days before the 1st of April last; that it was published by Mr. Pickering with his usual punctuality; was issued, and was in the hands of the local booksellers, as well as of its readers, on the 1st of April, the same as any other quarterly publication. We know, however, that several of the London agents of country booksellers are remarkably inattentive in executing orders; and that one house in particular, in London, informed its correspondents, on the 4th of April, that the Archeologia Cambrensis had not then appeared! For conduct like this the Editors cannot hold themselves answerable. They are fully aware of the importance of punctuality; and our readers may depend upon the Archeologia Cambrensis being always published on the first day of the following months, viz., 1st of January, 1st of April, 1st of July, and 1st of October. If any delay takes place, it will arise from some unavoidable accident in the printing or engraving machinery; but for carelessness in delivery the fault must be attributed to the local booksellers and their agents. Several of our kindest friends and supporters have also written to us at various times, requesting us, as Editors, to give instructions about the sending of their copies through particular channels, &c. We will, of course, do all we can to oblige them in this; but, we are sure that they will not take offence, if we remind them that the issuing of the Work does not concern us, but the publisher. By far the easiest and most certain method of getting the Archæologia Cambrensis is, to order it of any bookseller who transacts business with London. The Work may then be always had by the usual monthly or weekly parcel, and all risks of transmission through several hands will be avoided.] Archaeologia Cambrensis VERSES This Day is published, price 5s.} FOR HOLY SEASONS. Edited by WALTER FARQUHAR HOOK, D.D. VICAR OF LEEDS. London: Rivingtons. J. H. Parker, Oxford; Simms and Dinham, Manchester; and Slocombe and Simms, Leeds. Just published, price 5s. a New Edition of HE CAMBRIAN MIRROR, OR NEW TOURIST COMPANION T THROUGH NORTH WALES, comprehending the History and Descrip tion of the Towns, Villages, Castles, Mansions, Abbeys, Churches, Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls, Lakes, Cataracts, and Bridges, in that interesting and romantic Country: together with various Routes to the most attractive places, pointing out the different objects without the labour of incessant reference; and a Sketch of the History, Character, and Manners of the People. By EDWARD PARRY. Second edition, with a new Map, and other Engravings. London: Simpkin and Co., Longman and Co., R. Groombridge, and H. Hughes. Abel Heywood, Manchester. Wm. Curry, jun., and Co., Dublin. Edward Parry, Chester. NOTICE. "This little work is the production of a patriot, who writes con amore on every subject. The author's whole life has been engaged in promoting the interests and literature of the principality. As a collector of Welsh manuscripts and old editions of Welsh books, he has been led to explore the most recluse and unfrequented parts of the northern division of that country; and having studied the history of the people, and being a great admirer of their chivalrous fame and poetic genius, as well as a complete master of their language, we know of no individual more competent to present the Cambrian tourist with a guide. The work is replete with interest. It contains short sketches on a vast variety of topics, written in a style so homely, and at the same time so full of point and vivacity, that the reader arrives at the close of each with deep regret that the subject is so suddenly dropped. The traveller on his tour, with this guide in his hand, will, on consulting its pages, find in them a description of whatever object he may have occasion to examine or admire, 80 graphic and so brief as to render his cursory view of things highly instructive without retarding his progress with continual references. In addition to this, routes of various lengths from three to eighteen days, with the respective distances between places on the whole line, are laid down, accompanied by a new map of North and South Wales, and other illustrations. We venture to recommend the work to the notice of the public, as the best tourist companion through that land of primitive characteristics and sublime scenery that has ever yet issued from the press."-Liverpool Standard. This day is Published, Foolscap 8vo, price 5s. LAYS FROM THE CLMBRIO down Pic, VARIOUS, LYERVES. By GORONVA CAMLAN. London: William Pickering. Rees, Llandovery. Seacome and Prichard, Chester. Y This day is published, Part VII., price ls. 6d., of TRAET ODYDD, (the Essayist,) WELSH QUARTERLY. Contents:William Williams, o Bant-y-celyn, a'i amserau-Prydlondeb-Y SabbothMoses yn ei Gawell Læfrwyn-Ymdrechiadau Cenadol Robert Moffatt-Y Diwygiad Protestanaidd - Theophilus Jones-Y ddwy Bennod gyntaf yn Llythyr Paul yr Apostol at yr Ephesiaid-Dwfr-Canton de Vaud- Athroniaeth a Duwinyddiaeth Coleridge - Tubiau yr Hynafiaid, &c. &c. The increasing support which this Periodical is receiving, is a sufficient proof of the estimation in which it is held by the Public. Denbigh Thomas Gee. London: H. Hughes, 15, St. Martin's-le-Grand. |