The Introduction to this 1st edition of "Drych y Prif Oesoedd" is not reprinted in the 2nd edition of 1740, but as it throws considerable light upon the author's conception of the work and his intention in writing the book, it is reprinted below.
On his way home from Shrewsbury he may have stayed with his friends, the Lloyds of Plas Maesyfelin (Millfield), near Lampeter, and whilst there he could form or renew acquaintance with the Rev. Moses Williams, M. A., then incumbent of Llanwenog, near Lampeter. At any rate, we know that Moses Williams left Llanwenog in 1717 to become Vicar of Defynog, in Brecknockshire, and on August 4th, of the same year, Theophilus Evans was ordained deacon by Adam Ottley, D.D., Bishop of St. David's, on the title of Curate of Defynog.
Moses Williams, himself a Welsh writer, and deeply interested in Welsh literature, must have taken to Theophilus Evans through community of tastes; and curiously, the first year of their joint labours in the Church finds them also writing, each in his own way, commending the work of another Welshman. We said above that Moses Williams was a native of Llandyssul, Cardiganshire. In 1717, James Davies (1644- 1722), or lago ab Dewi, another native of Llandyssul, translated a book of Bishop Beveridge under the title of "Meddylieu neillduol ar Grefydd." The writer got Moses Williams to write a dedication of his version "I'r Urddasol ar Anrhydeddus Harri Llwyd o Lan Llawddog yn Sîr Gaer Fyrddin Ysgwier a Sersiant o'r Gyfraith," &c.[1] Williams shewed the MS. to his curate Theophilus, who wrote Pedwar o
- ↑ Hanes Llenydiaeth Gymreig, p. 126.
