OF MR. EDWARD JONES, WRITTEN BY HIS CONTEMPORARY, MR. JOHN PARRY, Mr. Edward Jones was born at a farm in Merionethshire, 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 tolerably strong one. Edward Jones came to London about fifty years ago, 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 honor 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, about thirty years ago, 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 hin from making his situation known to his relatives, caused bim to dispose of a part of his library, on the produce of which he subsisted. I and many others saw that he was daily becoming an object of our friendly attention, and we endeavoured to ascertain his circumstances ; but from him we could learn nothing, notwithstanding it was pretty certain that he passed many days without a dinner. It became at length a duty incumbent on us to take him under our care; a recommendation to the Governors of the Royal Society of Musicians was promptly attended to, and an annuity of fifty pounds was granted him—unknown to him. This single act of benevolence speaks volumes in favor 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. I was deputed to give him the first monthly payment. It was in the evening when I called; I found him locked in his room, at his lodgings in Great Chesterfield-street, Marylebone; I was admitted, he did not recollect me 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. I told him the purport of my visit, but he did not pay much attention to me, and only asked, with much fervency, whether I 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 me 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, 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 5001. He had, at various times previous to his death, sold books and prints to the amount of about 3001., 80 that his whole collection may be stated at 8001. ; 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 honor, 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. J. PARRY. * Mr. Parry's publication consists of selections from the “ Relicks of the Welsh Bards," with English words adapted to them, after the manner of Moore's Irish Melodies. 36 13 IO 16--17 Eifeddvod, or Congress of the Bards; in the reign of Of the Battle of Argoed Llwydain, by Taliesin, Avallenau Myrddin, or his Poem called the Orchard, Bards, Musicians, and other Votaries of the Druidical 24-25 Ceremonies, wore wreaths of Oak, 5-89 The Bardic Regalia, or the Silver Harp, &c. The three chief Palaces of King Arthur, The Character of a Druidic Bard, 3-28-84-122 Ź Celestial Blue, or the colour of the Bardic Robe, The golden-tongued Knights of King Arthur's Court, IO Of the Bards, after lofing their facerdotal character, The three undaunted Chiefs of King Arthur's Court, The three Primitive Institutional Bards of Britain, The three Free Guests of King Arthur's Court, The three Principal Bards of Britain; The three Compeers of King Arthur's Court, The three bloody-spear'd Bards of Britain, Of Arthur, and two of his Knights, Of the two British Conquerors of France, Of the three privileged Persons who frequented Palaces, * Abaris, the Hyperborian, described; who is said to have taught Pythagoras the doctrine of transmigration, The three Memorials of the Bards, America first discovered by Madoc ab Owen Gwynedd, The Acts of the British Princes, Armorial Enfgns used by the ancient Britons from the Musical and Poetical Contests of the Bards, 26-27-31 34 10-56 46-47-50-58-85 87 Englyn, on the Great Bell at Christ Church, Oxford, A Print of two Ariandlws, Badges, or Prizes of Honour, 89 Of the latter Meetings of the Bards, &c. 106 Beverages of the Ancient Britons, Anlaf, King of the Isles, disguised as a Minstrel, procured Coins of Boadicea, Bladud, &c. admittance into King Athelftan's Camp, Bangor is Coed University founded by King Lucius, The Arcadians, and their delight in Music, Beli Mawr, one of the oldest Historical Fragments Anecdote of Sir Roger Williams, and Marshal Biron, A curious Anecdote of Arnaud Daniel, a Troubadour, 52 97 The three Animals whose Foot is as valuable as their 80 Bleddyn ab Cynwyn established a Code of Laws, Bagpipes used by the Britons at a very early period, 116-117 B The Bugle Horn anciently in equal estimation, both 118 - 121 when they flourished, 13-14-15-16-48 to 52-87-88 drinking among the Gauls, The Court Bard or Laureat, the eighth Officer of the King, 27 Brazen-horns found in Ireland, Of the Pencerdd Gwlad, or Chief Bard of a Province, 27 114 9-10-81 adapted to the common old English instruments : viz. the Salt-box, Jaw's-harp, Marrow-bones and Cleavers, The Bardic Profeflion divided into three Grand Orders, 29 3-27 The Battle of Gwengfirad described by Talielin, Privileges of the Ancient Bards, 27-28-86 The time of Clera of the Bards, or Musical Circuit, 33-57-86 centuries, 83-84-85 39-59-108 75 The Bard, before and after Battle, performed on his Harp the Monarchal Song of Britain, 3-27 The Cymry, or Welsh, descendants of Gomer, 27--58 Coats of Arms in use among the Britons from the 10-56 Requisites to become a graduated Bard, or Chair Bard, 30-31 Revenues, and Donations of the Bards, of Caradacus, Cynvelyn, Carawn, Bladud, &c. A Bard received a treble Reward, King Cadwalader presided in the Congress of the Bards, Anecdote of Hugh Llwyd Cynvad, Of eminent Bards, and Musicians, The Constitutional System of the Bards became almost Congress of Berds held at Caerwys in the reign of Elizabeth, 46 extinct in the reign of Elizabeth, Carados of Llancarvan collected the Acts of the British Princes, 26 a i · CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VÔLUME OF RELICKS OF THE WELSH BARDS. 83 Of the three stringed Crowth, or Rebeck, 116 31–45–76 116 Eisteddvodau beld at Caerwys, under the auspices of Queen Cyhelyn, and Cadwgan, celebrated Harpers, and Composers of Welth Music, 55-48 A Summons for an Eisteddvod, to all Professors of Poetry 29–34-35–36-105 Exglynion i'r Eos, or extempore Stanzas on the Nightingale, The term Canon (or Song in parts,) appears in the Sixth which were the fruit of a Poetical Contest, 105 The three Enchanters of Britain, Thu three perpetual Choirs of Britain, Of the three Ensign Bards, 33-83 An Elcgy in commemoration of One and Twenty Musicians Clera of the Bards, or Musical Circuit, 26-33-86 and Poets, and foretelling the decline of Music and Cyff Cler, or the Butt of the Cler, The Extent Book of North Wales, 87 69 Elifba the Prophet, thought Mufic necessary to excite him 27-117 to a fit disposition for receiving the impression of the The Cuckoo's Song to Meirionydd, Craig y Deryn, in Merionethshire, described, 78 Englynion, or Poetical Blossoms, and Stanzas, 74 75 76 77 78 Claudius Philips, the Harper ; his Epitaph by Dr. Johnson, 50 Epigram on the Ten Commandments, A Charter granted to the King of the Minstrels, II2 A beautiful Englyn upon a Woman's Kiss, Music Court of the Honour of Titbury, 109-110-111-112 The three Irresistible Chiefs of Britain, Eran Mailan, Harper to Queen Anne, and Performer The three Undaunted Chiefs of King Arthur's Court, II on the Harp, in the choir of Westminster Abbey, Three things belonging to Composition, 82 The Seven Excellences which a man ought to possess, British Coins, and Iron Rings of a certain weight, prior to Extempore Effufions, or Pennillion, theirintercourse with the Romans. (And, see farther King Edward's Harper faved his life from affaflination, Edward the First said to have destroyed the Welsh Bards, 38 in Borlafe's ntiquities of Cornwall, Chap. XII. p. 258, Of the Father of English Poetry, &c. and plate XXIII second edition). II-79-80 Extempore compofitions of the Bards for the Chair, British Clergy flain by Ethelvred, Of the Horn given by King Canute to the Pufey family, 121 The three Honourable Feasts of Britain, Tomb of the Bard Davydd Ddú of Hiraddug, facing page 16 The three Family Beauties, 80 The three Orders of the Druids, 2-3-4 Gwallog ab Llëenawg, or Galgacus Rex, Grëal, or St. Grëal, the holy collection of Legends, 87 3-7-8 Giraldus Cambrensis's account of Welsh Music, and Druidism originated in Britain, Sir John Gower, of Glamorganshire, the Father of Druids and Bards supposed to be the first Framers of Laws English Poetry, The Golden age of Welsh Poetry, The Etymology of Derwydd, or Druid, &c. The three primary requisites of Genius, Disciples of the Druids studied twenty years, Gruffydd ab Conan, created Laws to reform Abuses among Transmigration of the Soul, a Tenet of the Druids, Donations, and Privileges appointed by the statute of Druids and Bards resume their Functions, Prince Gruffydd ab Conan to be given to all the Bards The Druids took refuge in Ireland, Bardsey, the Ille The Four and Twenty ancient Games of the Welsh, The Horn of Sir Piers Gruffydd, of Penrhyn, The Bards and Druids had an extraordinary veneration 89-120 The Gododin, an heroic Poem, by Aneurin Dyunwal Moelmud, the first Monarch who constituted Laws 56-79 Historical, or Antiquarian Bards, The different degrees of Persons among the Ancient Britons, 57 Howel Dda's Laws, St. Dunstan, accomplished in Music: His Harp would An Ancient Heroic Poem, 17-&c. without the interposition of any visible hand, pour out · The Harp, the most Ancient of all Musical Instruments, 90, 94 106 The Harp totally different from the Grecian Lyra, 117 The ten stringed Harp of David was made of Cedar, Of Davydd ah Gwilym, the Bard, 42-43-&c. Anciently among the Welsh, the Harp was one of the Of the Ducking Chair, at Dolgelleu, - 89-90 The three Lawful Harps of the Welsh, 94 A Print, or Trophy, of fome of the Welsh Musical Instru- The Privileges of a Bard, or Harper, 27-28-94 ments ; viz. the Triple Harp, the Crwib, the Crwth Tri- Female Performers on the Harp among the Antient Wellh, 95 thant, the Pibgorn, the Bugle Horn, and the Tabret, or 95 Drum į with some Specimens of the Ancient Mufical Panegyrics on the Harp by Sacred Writers, Bards, Notation of the Welsh, at the bottom of page 99-100-101 The Welsh formerly had Six kinds of Music | Instruments, 122 A list of Poems written to folicit a Harp, Musical Instruments of Ireland in the of the hair-strung Harp, and Poem on the Leathern The Irish formerly used the Bagpipes as an incentive to War, 98 28-32-102 Of the Musical Instruments of the Ancient Britons, ex- Progreffive improvements, and compass of the Welsh tracted from the Welsh Laws, 114 Harps, viz. the Harp with a fingle row, a double The three Indifpenfibles for an Instrumental Musician, 82 row, and a tripple row, of strings 103104 к 74-75 Anciently the Italians had not the Harp, 97 An admirable Poem on a Kiss When the Harp was first introduced into Italy, it contained three O&aves, and afterwards acquired Lucius, the first Christian King of Britain, 95–96 The three Holy Lineages of Britain, The Harp formerly in use among the Scots, where Llywarch Hên, the Cunubrian Prince, and a noted Bard, 21-22 there is a Bardic Veftige still remaining, 99 The Lamentations of Leyarch Hến, Thom de l'indo's account of the Harp, 99 Llyvr dû o Gaer Vyrddin ;'a Manufcript, 105-106 Llyvr-Côch ö Hergest ; a Manuscript, The etymology of Telyn, or Harp, 113 Of the Lyra, Testudo, Barbiton, Kithara, Phorminx, or Chelys, 106 Of Ancient British Letters, Of the 1 heban Harp, 114 The three Exciters of Love, 107 M.S. Records of Llandaft; and of Bangor, ftill extant, 16 -87 The Jaw's Harp, erroneously termed Jew's-Harp, 107 Hurdy Gourdy, 91107 -56-57-58–59 Henry the Fifth's Grand Coronation, The Saxon's, probably, had not the Harp, nor letters, Mead, Bragget, Ale, Clary-wine, &c. prior to their arrival in Britain, Hirlas, the Drinking Horn of Owen Cyveiliog, 118&c. Three Social Horós allotted for the use of the King, 27-94 Music and Poetry were inseparably united in the fame A remarkable Account of Hugh Llwyd Cynvael, the Poet The names of the four-and-twenty Metres of Welsh Poetry, 30--53 A Hunter's Horn fuppoted to have been given by John The names of the four-and-i wenty Measures of Welsh Music, 29 of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, to the Efcheator and An Ancient Welsh Musical Manuscript written in an un- Coroner of the Honour of Titbury, According to the old Welin Hunting Laws, every person A series of celebrated Musicians, and when they flou- that carried a Horn was obliged to know the Nine Chases, 118 Of the National Melodies, or Bardic Tunes of the Ancient The three Golden-robed Heralds of Britain, Musical and Poetical Circuits of the Bards, The three War-tombed Heroes of Britain, Of Ancient Welle Manuscripts, 1-9-15-16-79-87-&c. The privilege of founding the Trumpet among the Musicians, and other Votaries of the Druidical Ceremo. Hebrews was reserved to the Priests only, The Harp totally different from the Grecian Lyra, Of Madoc ah Owen Gwynedd, who first discovered America, 37 The three chief Magicians of the Ifand of Britain, The Holy Men of Ireland anciently amused themselves in The three graduated Songiters, or Musicians, 95 The three indispensables for an Instrumental Musician, James Stuart, King of Scotland, (the first of that name;) The three Honours of a Musician, civilized the Scotch nation, and was an admirable The three Excellences of a Minstrel, Musician, and performer on the Harp, 99 The three principal kinds of Welsh Metres, 100 The various degrees of Musicians, A Differtation on the Musical Instruments of the Memorandums respecting some of the Bards and Historians, with an Account of their Works, 13-14-15-16--87-88 Immunities, and Donations of the Bards, 27-28-33--56--86 | The Minstrels of the Saxous, 81 |