MONTGOMERYSHIRE WORTHIES.

BY RICHARD WILLIAMS.

(Continued from Vol. x, p. 206.)

66

DAVIES, RICHARD, better known by his bardic name Mynyddog, was born on the 14th January 1833, at a farmhouse called Dol-lydan, in the parish of Llanbrynmair. While he was yet young, his father, Mr. Daniel Davies, removed to Fron, a larger farm in the same parish, where Mynyddog lived up to within four or five years of his death. He began early to show signs of considerable poetic talent, contributing frequently to the "Cronicl" and other Welsh magazines, and winning prizes for compositions at most of the local literary meetings. Some of these compositions are among his best. It was, I believe, at an Eisteddfod held at Dinas Mawddwy in August 1855, that he first assumed his nom de plume of Mynyddog", by which he became afterwards so well known. Having received no better education than that of an ordinary Welsh farmer's son, he, while assisting his parents in farming pursuits, devoted his leisure time to mental improvement and the cultivation of music and poetry. His fame rapidly spread, until he became in the course of a few years one of the most popular of Welsh song writers, and his name became a household word among his countrymen in all parts of the world. He also acquired the reputation of being an excellent critic and conductor at literary meetings and Eisteddfodau. For the last ten years of his life, indeed, his services were eagerly sought, and considered almost indispensable at every meeting of the kind among his countrymen. In

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this capacity he was unrivalled, displaying, as he usually did, so much geniality and good humour, combined with much ability and such rare tact, as to ensure the perfect and complete success of all meetings presided over by him. He possessed a commanding stature, a powerful voice, a pleasing countenance, a cool brain, and a ready tongue, and he moved and spoke on the platform as one having authority. His wit was electric, and it knew no bitterness, and scorned the aid of coarseness. Mynyddog was also well known to his countrymen as a constant correspondent and writer for many years in the Welsh newspaper and periodical press upon topics of the day, under the signature of "Y dyn a'r baich drain" (The man with the load of thorns), "Rhywun" (Somebody), etc.; his contributions being invariably distinguished for point, ability, and a genial kind of humour peculiar to himself.

The last Eisteddfod at which Mynyddog acted as conductor was that held at Wrexham in the autumn of 1876. It became evident to his friends at this time that his health was beginning to fail. Immediately after this Eisteddfod, he, accompanied by his wife, proceeded to America, at the urgent invitation of his countrymen there, and in the hope also that the voyage and a thorough change would tend to restore his health. The contrary, however, proved to be the case. The excitement and fatigue of the voyage greatly aggravated the disease from which he was suffering (induration of the stomach), and he was compelled to bring his tour hastily to a close, and return home. The best advice was obtained, and all that medical skill and knowledge could devise or suggest was tried, but in vain. After a lingering illness, he died at his own residence, Bronygân, Cemmes, on the 14th July 1877, in the forty-fifth year of his age. His death called forth many manifestations of sorrow on the part of his countrymen, and hundreds of them (many being from distant parts of Wales and from English towns) followed his remains to the grave. He was buried on the

19th of July, at the burial place attached to the old Independent Chapel, Llanbrynmair. Mynyddog was married on the 25th September 1871, to Ann Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Aaron Francis, of Rhyl, who survives him, but he left no issue.

To reciprocate in some degree the kindness and affectionate appreciation always shown towards him by the Welsh people, and also to show his desire to encourage and assist his less fortunate and poorer fellow-countrymen in gaining a better knowledge of Welsh, English, and music, Mynyddog, by his will bequeathed £300, free of legacy-duty, to be invested after his wife's death "for providing a Scholarship at the University College of Wales, tenable for three years (if the successful candidate should so long remain at the college), to be awarded to the most successful candidate upon an examination in the English and Welsh languages and in music, preference being given to natives of Montgomeryshire, and the scholarship to be limited to natives of Wales".

A highly influential committee has lately been formed, under the presidency of Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., M.P., (Capt. Crewe-Read, R.N., treasurer; Mr. J. Ceiriog Hughes, secretary), for the purpose of raising funds to found an exhibition in the University College of Wales, open to the Principality, to encourage and devolope musical talent, and to place a Memorial in the College to commemorate Mynyddog's generous bequest. Above £130 has been collected in the course of a few weeks, and it is hoped that eventually a goodly sum will be raised, so that the Memorial may be made worthy of one of the most talented and generous of modern Montgomeryshire worthies.

The published works of Mynyddog consist of three small volumes of poetry, namely, "Caneuon" (Songs), Wrexham, 1866; "Ail Gynyg" (Second Attempt), Wrexham, 1870; and "Trydydd Cynyg" (Third Attempt), Utica, 1877, and Wrexham, 1877. It is intended by his representatives, I believe, to publish

another volume, consisting of some of his earlier writings, which have not hitherto appeared in a collected form, and of compositions by him during his last illness. His works are distinguished, as he himself was, by geniality, humour combined with frequent touches of deep pathos, sterling common sense rather than a lofty imagination, and homeliness of expression rather than polished language. In these respects he greatly resembled Burns, while, unlike the Scottish poet, he was ever careful to refrain from indulging in any thought or expression that might be considered coarse, rude or immoral. The memory of Mynyddog as an unrivalled Eisteddfod conductor will soon die; many of his songs and lyrics will share the same fate; but he has left behind him a few charming songs which will probably continue to "flourish in immortal bloom", and live as long as the Welsh language itself.

EINION AB CADWGAN, a prince of part of Powis, who distinguished himself in the wars against Henry I. In 1113 he, in conjunction with others, seized the territories in Merionethshire of his cousin or Welsh uncle, Uchtryd ab Edwin of Llys (Northope), and demolished his castle at Cymer. He died in 1121, and left his possessions to Maredydd, his brother.-Myv. Arch. 620; Williams's Eminent Welshmen.

EINION AB MEURIG (SIR), lord of Aston and Marrington, a descendant of Elystan Glodrudd. He bore for arms, azure a lion rampant double queued argent.—J. Morris's MSS.

EINION DDISTAIN, a descendant of Aleth, king of Dyfed, was Steward of Powys, or, as some say, of Arwystli only, and derived his appellation of Distain (Steward) from that office.-Ibid.

EINION AB SEISYLLT, lord of Meirionydd, a descendant of Gwyddno Garanhir. He lived in the twelfth century, at Mathafarn, in the parish of Llanwrin, and was the ancestor of Dafydd Llwyd ab Llewelyn, the eminent poet, who resided at the same place in the fifteenth century. Owain Brogyntyn married for his

second wife Maria, daughter of Einion ab Seisyllt. His arms were argent, a lion rampant sable, between three fleurs-de-lys gules.—Ibid.

EINION URDD, or YRTH, the son of Cunedda Wledig, assisted his brethren in expelling the Irish from Wales, and had for his share the district called after him, Caereinion. He succeeded his father as king of North Wales in 389, and reigned until his death in 443.— Williams's Eminent Welshmen.

ERFYL (Saint), or Erful, Eurful or Urful, as she is variously called, a daughter of St. Padarn, who flourished about the middle of the sixth century. Her father's diocese of Llanbadarn comprised a large portion of Montgomeryshire, and she probably founded the church of Llanerfyl, it being in the immediate neighbourhood of Llangadfan, a church founded by her uncle, St. Cadfan. Moreover, tradition states that she was buried there, and this is to some extent borne out by a curious inscription found upon an ancient tombstone in the churchyard some years ago, which runs as follows:-" HIC IN TVM.-LO IACIT R. ST E CE FILIA PA TERNINI AN 1XIII IN PA. This is supposed to be Erfyl's tombstone. Her feast-day is the Sunday next following the 6th of July. Her memory was for many years held in great veneration. Lewys Glyn Cothi speaks of

"Urvul ddoeth a Gwervul dda❞—

(Urvul the wise and Gwervul the good.)

-Rees's Welsh Saints; Camb. Reg. ii, p. 371-2; Brython, iv, p. 317.

EVANS, DAVID, of Llanfair Caereinion, a poet, who flourished about the middle of the last century. He was a descendant of Wmffra Dafydd ab Ifan, a celebrated poet of the seventeenth century; but beyond this little is known of him. His brother, Rowland Evans, of Coed bychain, was also a poet.-Gwallter Mechain's Works, i, p. 460.

EVANS, REV. DAVID, D.D., was born at Llangynyw. He had the rectory of Llanerfyl in 1737, and was