THE idea of the publication of Welsh Records, which had for some time occupied the thoughts of leading Welsh Scholars, took a definite and practical shape at the meeting of the Cymmrodorion Section of the National Eisteddfod held at Brecon in 1889. In the papers which were read at that meeting it was shown that a vast quantity of material necessary for understanding the history of Wales still remained buried in public and private Libraries, and also that such of the Welsh Chronicles as had been given to the world had been edited in a manner which had not fulfilled the requirements of modern scholarship. As it appeared that the Government declined to undertake any further publication of purely Welsh Records, it was suggested by Sir John Williams that the Council of the Cymmrodorion Society should take the work in hand, and establish a separate fund for that purpose. The Council are of opinion that a work of this magnitude cannot be left to private enterprise, although they thankfully acknowledge the indebtedness of all Welshmen to such men as Mr. G. T. Clark of Talygarn, the Rev. Canon Silvan Evans, Mr. J. Gwenogfryn Evans, Mr. Owen Edwards, Mr. Egerton Phillimore, and Professor John Rhys, and they fully appreciate the valuable work done by members of the various Antiquarian Societies. Private enterprise has enabled the Council to issue, without cost to the Society, the first number of the Series which they have undertaken. The edition of Owen's Pembrokeshire, two parts of which have already been issued), is the result to Mr. Henry Owen-a member of the Society's Council-of long and arduous labour, and of an expenditure of a sum of money which would enable any patriotic Welshman who follows that example to present similar numbers of the proposed Series to his country men. The second number of the Series consists of Records from the Ruthin Court Rolls (A.D. 1294-5), edited by Mr. R. Arthur Roberts, of the Public Record Office. A Catalogue of the Welsh Manuscripts in the British Museum; a transcript of The Black Book of St. David's, and new editions of Nennius and Gildas are in course of preparation. In the future numbers of the Series will be published, from public or private MSS., with Introductions and Notes by competent scholars, such Records as will throw light on some period of Welsh History. These publications will, the Council trust, go far to remove from the Principality the dishonour of being the only nation in Europe which is without anything approaching to a scientific history. It is hoped to issue annually one number of the Series. The cost of each number will, it is anticipated, be about £250. To ensure a continuity of publication, it is necessary to form a Permanent Capital Fund, and this the Society of Cymmrodorion have resolved to do. This Fund, of which Sir John Williams, Bart., Sir W. Thomas Lewis, Bart., and Mr. Henry Owen, F.S.A., are the Trustees, will be under the control of the Council, but will be kept separate from the general fund of the Society. It will be applicable solely to the purposes herein designated, and an account of receipts and payments will be submitted to each contributor. Towards the expenses of publication the Council have found themselves in a position to set aside, from time to time, from the Society's General Fund the sum of £150, a contribution which they trust a large accession of members to the ranks of the Society will speedily enable them to augment. The Council confidently appeal to all Welshmen for sympathy and help in this really national enterprise. Welshmen are proverbially proud of the antiquities of their land. To place the record of these antiquities within the reach of every Welsh student in an accurate and intelligible form, and to enable him to understand the growth of the national and individual life, is a work which should unite all Welshmen for the benefit of their countrymen, and for the honour of Wales. CYMMRODORION LIBRARY, * 64, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON, W.C. BUTE, President. E. VINCENT EVANS, Secretary. **Cheques may be sent to E. VINCENT EVANS, Secretary to the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 64, Chancery Lane, W.C., crossed "London Joint Stock Bank, Limited, to the credit of the Cymmrodorion Record Series Fund." onourable Society of Cymmrodorion, FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF Literature, Science, and Art as connected with Wales. Offices: NEW STONE BUILDINGS, 64, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON, W.C. President. THE MOST HON. THE MARQUESS OF BUTE, K.T. Vice-Presidents. The Right Hon. The EARL OF JERSEY. The Right Hon. The EARL OF POWIS. The Right Rev. The LORD BISHOP OF LLANDAFF. The Right Rev. The LORD BISHOP OF BANGOR. The Right Rev. The LORD BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S. The Right Rev. FRANCIS MOSTYN, D.D., Bishop of Menevia. The Right Hon. LORD PENRHYN. MARTEINE O. M. LLOYD, Bart. EDWARD J. REED, K.C.B. OWEN ROBERTS, D.C.L. LEWIS MORRIS. JOHN H. PULESTON. HEN EVANS, J.P., (Chairman). RED DANIELL, M.A., D.Sc. . DAVIES, M.A. CADWALADR DAVIES. E. DAVIES. INCENT EVANS. LIAM EVANS. S J. GRIFFITH, M.P. TUDOR HOWELL, M.P. |W. CORNWALLIS WEST, Lord Lieu- H. R. HUGHES, Lord Lieut., co. Flint. D. BRYNMÔR JONES, Q.C., M.P. WILLIAM RATHBONE. J. IGNATIUS WILLIAMS. GWILYM WILLIAM R. M. WYNNE, Lord Lieutenant, co. Merioneth. Council. LOWELL WILLIAMS IDRIS, F.C.S. G. HARTWELL-JONES, M.A. . MORRIS, M.A., LL.M. RED NUTT. EDWARD OWEN. HENRY OWEN, B.C.L.Oxon., F.S.A. ISAMBARD OWEN, M.D., M.A. Principal JOHN RHYS, M.A., LL.D. R. ARTHUR ROBERTS. JOHN THOMAS (Pencerdd Gwalia). Sir JOHN WILLIAMS, Bart., M.D. Secretary. E. VINCENT EVANS. |