Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T08:59:40.907Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

‘I Will Tell You a Word or Two About Cardiganshire’: Welsh Clerics and Literature in the Eighteenth Century

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2016

Geraint H. Jenkins
Geraint H. Jenkins*
Affiliation:
University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

In the process often characterized by Welsh historians as ‘the remaking of Wales in the eighteenth century’, the clergy played a central role in the literary and national revival. While the national and international contexts of these cultural movements are of paramount importance, particularities also count, and need to be integrated into the larger picture. An examination of the special flavour of the careers of several literary-minded clerics and other writers in the deeply rural county of Cardiganshire offers a means of throwing light on some of these broader themes, and of illustrating the importance of literacy, culture, and learning to relatively humble middling sorts within a particular community notorious for its isolation, poor communications, monoglottism, and slow-moving economy.

Type
Research Article
Information
Studies in Church History , Volume 38: The Church and the Book , 2004 , pp. 303 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © Ecclesiastical History Society 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Trevor Herbert and Jones, Garcth Elwyn, eds, The Remaking of Wales in the Eighteenth Century (Cardiff, 1988 Google Scholar).

2 Aberystwyth, National Library of Wales [hereafter NLW], MS 6203E, fol. 34.

3 Malkin, Benjamin H., The Scenery, Antiquities, and Biography, of South Wales (1804), 321 Google Scholar.

4 Davies, J.H., ed., The Letters of Lewis, Richard, William and John Morris, of Anglesey (Morrisiaid Môn) 1728–1765, 2 vols (Aberystwyth, 1907-9) [hereafter ML], 1:246 Google Scholar.

5 Evans, Eifion, Daniel Rowland and the Great Evangelical Awakening in Wales (Edinburgh, 1985), 30 Google Scholar.

6 Owen, Hugh, ed., The Letters of the Morrises of Anglesey (1735-1786), Parts 1–2 (1947-9) [hereafter ALM], 2:532 Google Scholar.

7 Lewis, Aneirin, ed., The Correspondence of Thomas Percy and Evans Evans (Baton Rouge, LA, 1957), xxvii Google Scholar.

8 ALM, 1:113.

9 Lewis, W.J., ‘Lead mining in Cardiganshire’, in Jenkins, Geraint H. and Gwynedd Jones, Ieuan, eds, Cardiganshire County History. Volume 3. Cardiganshire in Modern Times (Cardiff, 1998), 160–81 Google Scholar; Emyr Gwynne Jones, ‘Llythyrau Lewis Morris at William Vaughan, Corsygedol’, Lien Cymru, 10 (1968), 29.

10 Bowen, Geraint, ‘Traddodiad Llenyddol Deau Ceredigion 1600–1850’ (University of Wales, MA. thesis, 1943 Google Scholar); Geraint H. Jenkins, ‘Bywiogrwydd Crefyddol a Llenyddol Dyffryn Teifi, 1689–1740’, Ceredigion, 8 (1979), 439–72; idem, Literature, Religion and Society in Wales 1660–1730 (Cardiff, 1978).

11 Jenkins, Geraint H., The Foundations of Modern Wales: Wales 1642–1780 (Oxford, 1987), ch. 6, 10 Google Scholar.

12 NLW, MS 11303 D, fol. 86v.

13 ALM, 1:370, 2:535.

14 Morgan, Gerald, Ieuan Farda (Caernarfon, 1988), 7 Google Scholar.

15 Lewis, Aneirin, ‘Llythyrau Evan Evans (Ieuan Fardd) at Ddafydd Jones o Drefriw’, Liên Cymru, 1 (1950-1), 245 Google Scholar.

16 Beynon, Tom, ‘Howell Harris and Daniel Rowland’, Cylehgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes Eghvys Methodistiaid Calfmaidd Cymru, 31 (1946), 91–2 Google Scholar.

17 Jenkins, Geraint H., Theophilus Evans (1693-1767): Y Dyn, ei Deulu, a’i Oes (Aberystwyth, 1993 Google Scholar).

18 Jones, Theophilus, A History of the County of Brecknock, 2 vols (Brecknock, 1805-9), 2:274 Google Scholar.

19 Jones, Thomas, The British Language in its Lustre (1688 Google Scholar), sig. A3r.

20 Jenkins, Geraint H., ‘Historical writing in the eighteenth century’, in Jarvis, Branwen, ed., A Guide to Welsh Literature c.1700-1800 (Cardiff, 2000 Google Scholar), ch.2.

21 Evans, Theophilus, Drych y Prif Oesoedd (Amwythig, 1740), 7 Google Scholar. The English translation is taken from George Roberts, A View of the Primitive Ages (Ebensburg, PA, 1834), 17.

22 Thomas, David, ‘Drych y Prif Oesoedd’, Y Traethodydd, 19 (1951), 125 Google Scholar; Prys Morgan.’Y Ddau Thcophilus: Sylwadau ar Hancsyddiaeth’, Taliesin, 19 (1969), 36–45; Glanmor Williams, ‘Romantic and realist: Thcophilus Evans and Thcophilus Jones’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 140 (1991), 17–27.

23 Roberts, View of the Primitive Ages, x.

24 ALM, 2:447.

25 Thomas, D. Lleufer, ‘Lewis Morris in Cardiganshire’, Y Cymmrodor, 15 (1901), 1–87 Google Scholar; Tegwyn Jones, Y Llew a’i Detilu (Talybont, 1982).

26 Lewis Jones, Bedwyr, ‘Lewis Morris (1701-1765)’, in idem, ed., Gtvyr Mon (Caernarfon, 1979), 60 Google Scholar.

27 ALM, 1:1; Branwcn Jarvis, ‘Lewis Morris, y “Philomath” Ymarferol’, in Geraint H.Jenkins, ed., Cof Cettedl X: Ysgrifau ar Hams Cymru (Llandysul, 199s), 61–90.

28 ML, 2:5. See Jones, Alun R., ‘“Ymrwbio yn ein Gilydd mal Ceffylau”: Llythyrau Lewis Morris’, Lien Cymru, 22 (1999), 80–92 Google Scholar.

29 ML, 2:392-5.

30 Ibid., 1:489.

31 Ibid., 1:346.

32 ALM, 1:185.

33 Bangor, University of Wales (Bangor), MS Bangor (Mostyn) 7606.

34 Jenkins, , Foundations of Modern Wales, 392–3 Google Scholar, 404–5; Alun R. Jones, Traethiadau Lewis Morris’, Taliesin, 108 (2000), 64–83.

35 ALM, 2:422.

36 BL, MS Add. 14928, fol. 33. See also Owen, Hugh, The Life and Works of Lewis Morris (Llewelyn Ddu o Fôn) 1701–1765 (Llangefni, 1951 Google Scholar).

37 Pat Rogers, Johnson (Oxford, 1993), 2.

38 Quoted in Evans, R. Paul, ‘Mythology and tradition’, in Herbert, and Jones, , ed., The Remaking of Wales, 164 Google Scholar.

39 Jenkins, Geraint H., ‘Yr Eglwys “Wiwlwys Olau” a’i Bcirniaid’, Ceredigion, 10 (1985), 131–46 Google Scholar; idem, The Established Church and Dissent in eighteenth-century Cardiganshire’, in Jenkins and Jones, eds, Cardiganshire County History, 3:453-77.

40 Langford, Paul, Englishmen Identified: Manners and Character 1650–1850 (Oxford, 2000), 314 Google Scholar.

41 NLW, MS 2009B; Morgan, Gerald, ‘Ieuan Fardd (1731-1788): Tracthawd ar yr Esgyb Eingl’, Ceredigion, 11 (1990), 135–46 Google Scholar; Geraint H.Jenkins, ‘“Horrid unintelligible jargon”: the case of Dr. Thomas Bowles’, Welsh History Review, 15 (1991), 494–523.

42 Evans, D. Silvan, ed., Gwaith y Parchedig Evan Evans (leuan Brydydd Hir) (Caernarfon, 1876), 41 Google Scholar.

43 ALM, 2:471.

44 Ibid., 2:620.

45 NLW, MS 2009B, passim; Evans, Evan, Casgliad o Bregethau, 2 vols (Mwythig, 1776), 1, sig. b4 Google Scholarb.

46 Lewis, ‘Llythyrau Evans Evans’, 239–58.

47 Evans, Gwaith y Parchedig Evan Evans, 131–2.

48 ALM, 2:492.

49 ibid., 1:349.

50 Lewis, Correspondence of Percy and Evans, 100.

51 Snyder, E.D., The Celtic Revival in English Literature 1760–1800 (Cambridge, MA, 1923 Google Scholar); Ffion Llywelyn Jenkins, ‘Celticism and prc-Romanticism: Evan Evans’, in Jarvis, Cuide to Welsh Literature, 104–25.

52 Evans, Gwaith y Parchedig Evan Evans, 136.

53 Ibid., 142.

54 Williams, Gwyn A., ‘Romanticism in Wales’, in Porter, Roy and Teich, Mikuláŝ, eds, Romanticism in National Context (Cambridge, 1988), 24 Google Scholar. For the background, see Prys Morgan, The Eighteenth Century Renaissance (Llandybïe, 1981).

55 Morgan, Teuan Fardd, 7.

56 Ifans, Dafydd, ‘Edward Griffith a Cherflun Llangeitho’, Cylehgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, nos 9–10 (1985-6), 73 Google Scholar.

57 Owen, John, A Memoir of the Rev. Daniel Rowlands (1840), 90 Google Scholar.

58 Morgan, Derec Llwyd, The Great Awakening in Wales (1988), 69 Google Scholar.

59 Beynon, Tom, ‘Howell Harris’s visits to Cardiganshire’, Cylehgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, 30 (1945), 50 Google Scholar.

60 Owen, John, Coffhad am y Parch. Daniel Rowlands (Caerlleon, 1839), 17 Google Scholar.

61 Rowland, Daniel, Eight Sermons upon Practical Subjects ([1774]), 22 Google Scholar.

62 White, Eryn M., Praidd Bach y Bugail Mawr: Seiadau Methodistaidd De-Orliewin Cymru (Llandysul, 1995 Google Scholar); eadem, “The World, the Flesh and the Devil” and early Methodist societies of South West Wales’, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cytmnrodorion, ns 3 (1997). 45–61.

63 Morgan, Edward, Ministerial Records; or Brief Accounts of the Great Progress of Religion (1840), 159 Google Scholar.

64 Ellis, Mari, ‘Ysgafnhau’r Baich’, Taliesin, 109 (2000), 56 Google Scholar.

65 Evans, Daniel Rowland and the Great Awakening, 73.

66 Owen, , Memoir of Daniel Rowlands, 179 Google Scholar; Daniel Rowland, Tair Pregeth (Caerfyrddin, 1775); idem, Three Sermotis upon Practical Subjects (1778); idem, Deuddeg o Bregethau ar wahanol Destynau (Llanbedr, 1865). See also Gomer M. Roberts, Tanysgrifwyr Prcgetbau Cymracg Daniel Rowland’, Cylehgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, 45 (1960), 35–45.

67 Gomer M. Roberts, ‘The Trefecka letters (nos. 427–459)’, Cylehgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, 46 (1961), 178.

68 Evans, Theophilus, The History of Modern Enthusiasm (1752), 79 Google Scholar.

69 ALM, 2:688.

70 Jones, Alun R., ‘“Vermin [who] creep into all corners through the least crevices”: Lewis Morris and the Methodists’, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, ns 4 (1998), 24–35 Google Scholar.

71 NLW, MS 67A, fols 57–68.

72 Evan Thomas Rhys, Diliau’r Awen; sef, Crynodeb o Waith Awenyddol y Diweddar Ardderchog Brydydd Evan Thomas Rhys, ed. W.H. Griffiths (Aberystwyth, 1842), 27–8.

73 ALM, 2:532-3.

74 Rhys, Diliau’r Awen, viii.

75 John Howell, ed., Blodau Dyfed (Caerfyrddin, 1824), 274–5, 276–7, 405–10; Davies, D.J., Hanes Hynafiaethau ae Achyddiaeth Llanarth, Henjynyw, Llanllwehaiam a Llandysilio-Gogo (Caerfyrddin, 1930), 84 Google Scholar.

76 ALM, 2:532.

77 Passmore, S.C., ‘The Revd. John Pugh, Motygido, Llannarth (1690-1763) and his school’, Ceredigion, 12 (1996), 43–4, 46 Google Scholar.

78 Edward Lhuyd, ‘Parochialia’, Supplement to Archaeologia Cambrensis, Part 3 (1909-11), 68; David Jenkins, ‘The part played by craftsmen in the religious history of modern Wales’, The Welsh Anvil, 6 (1954), 90–7; Jenkins, Literature, Religion and Society, 289–90, 296–7.

79 D. Elwyn Davies, ‘They Thought for Themselves’ (Llandysul, 1982), 26–9.

80 NLW, MS 6238A.

81 Ibid., fol. 395.

82 Geraint H.Jenkins, ‘The eighteenth century’, in Philip Henry Jones and Eiluned Rees, eds, A Nation and its Books: A History of the Book in Wales (Aberystwyth, 1998), 112.

83 Idem, ‘“An old and much honoured soldier”: Griffith Jones, Llanddowror’, Welsh History Review, 11 (1983), 449–68.

84 NLW, MS 604D, fol. 104; ALM, 2:794-807.

85 Evans, History of Modem Enthusiasm, sig. A2r.

86 Jones, History of the County of Brecknock, 1:276.

87 Aneirin Lewis, ‘Icuan Fardd a’r Gwaith o Gyhoeddi Hen Lenyddiacth Cymru’, Journal of the Welsh Bibliographical Society, 8 (1956), 131–2.

88 Evans, Gwaith y Parchedig Evan Evans, 110. For a catalogue of Evans’s books, see NLW, MS 2039D.

89 Owen, Memoir of the Rev. Daniel Rowlands, 142–3.

90 Morgan, Ministerial Records, 90–1.

91 ALM, 1:113.

92 ML, 1:342.

93 Ibid., 1:238.