Tudalen:Llythyrau Goronwy Owen.djvu/61

desirous of creating and cultivating an acquaintance with him, as he was a Welshman and a man of very good Character for learning and Morals. My desire was accomplished; the Gentleman came, and, to compleat the happiness of the Day, Mr. Brook, my Patron, made me a Present of some rum, &c, and honoured us with his company. When we were set, the pleasure I expressed in seeing a Countryman at this first interview, turned the topick of discourse upon. Wales, and the Welsh Tongue. Mr. Owen, (like an honest. Welshman) readily owned, he was a Native of MontgomeryShire, which pleased me well enough, but being asked by my Patron (who tho' an Englishman, has a few Welsh words which he is fond of) whether he could speak or read Welsh, I found the young Urchin was shy to own either, tho' I was afterwards, that same day, convinced of the contrary. Then, when they alledged it was a dying Lan- guage not worth cultivating, &c., which I stiffly denied, the wicked Imp, with an Air of complacency and satisfaction. said, There was nothing in it worth reading, and that to his certain knowledge the English daily got ground of it, and he doubted not but in a 100 years it would be quite lost. This was matter of triumph to my Antagonists; but to me it was such a confounding overthrowing blow, as would certainly have utterly ruined and destroyed me out of the way, but that I have a queer turn of mind that disposes me to laugh heartily at an absurdity, and to despise ignorance and conceitedness. But he is not the first I met with of that. Stamp. Let them say so, and wish it so, if they will; but be not you discouraged in your laudable undertaking; and be sure, if I can contribute my mite towards it, it shall not be wanting. I shall always think it my duty, and greatest pleasure so to do. Llyma Lythyr neu ddau oddiwrth Wilym Ddu o Gybi yn deisyf arnaf ysgrifennu Notes and Explanations ar Gywydd y Farn, ac ar Gywydd Bonedd yr Awen, a'u gyrru yna i Lundain at y Gymdeithas i'w hargraphu. I have at present never a Book by me, neither a Dictionary, or any other, (tho' they are at Chester, and will be, I hope, at Liverpool this Week,) so I cannot find in my heart to take that work in hand