uctions are the
'Specimens,' above mentioned, which were published in 4to. in 1764. In
these he has given a literal prose version of the writings of some of the
earlier Welsh bards. For the copy-right he received thirty pounds. He
wrote also several English poems, and a great number of short poems in
Welsh, (some of which are inserted in the following pages,) and a
translation into Welsh of two volumes of sermons, selected out of
Tillotson and other eminent divines. A great part of his life was spent
in collecting and transcribing ancient Welsh manuscripts. He was
admitted to the collection of Sir Roger Mostyn, which preserves a very
great number of ancient manuscripts, of great value: he likewise copied
the works of the oldest bards, from a very large vellum manuscript,
called 'Y Llyfr Coch,' in the library of Jesus College, Oxford. He
thence also copied several valuable historical tracts of the 12th
century. He, besides what has been mentioned, explored every corner of
Wales, in quest of manuscripts, and met with considerable success; but
the neccessary encouragement, which was solicited towards putting a part
of what he had thus collected to press was withheld from him."--_Partly
extracted from Rees's Historical description of South Wales_.

We are told that the ancient Welsh MSS. which our industrious author
collected and transcribed, occupy upwards of eighty volumes. They were
purchased by the late Paul Panton Esq., of Plasgwyn, Anglesea.

Mr. Evans had a lengthy correspondence with Bishop Percy and other
eminent antiquaries; the most interesting portions of which will be found
in the following pages together with selections from his poetical works.
He was of tall stature,--hence his Bardic name of Prydydd Hir, (the tall
poet.) He was very benevolently disposed, and highly national and
patriotic, and as might be expected, was most averse to the appointment
of English prelates to Welsh dioceses. That will partly account for his
stationary position in the Establishment. His excessive love of the
'wine cup' may also have had something to do in preventing his
appointment to a more lucrative position in the Church. Mr Evans died
suddenly in the month of May 1789; some say that he perished on a
mountain; _others_ say that he died at, or near his native home; but
_none_ deny that poverty and sorrow hastened the death of our talented
but unfortunate author.

AN ELEGY

_On the Death of the Rev. E. Ev