handbook of the origin of place-names in wales and monmouthshire

§ § § § §The Author begs to state that he has succeeded in gaining access to some of the mostreliable sources of information, and has consulted not a few of the best authorities indifferent localities, for which assistance he desires to express his gratitude and obligations.He also acknowledges his indebtedness to the following works : "Cymru 'by Rev. OwenJones ; " Parthsyllydd," by Dr. Emlyn Jones; " Geiriadur Bywgraphyddol," by Rev. J. T.Jones ; Myv. Arch ; Iolo MSS.; Iago Emlyn's Prize Essay on "The PhilosophicalConstruction of Celtic Nomenclature, &c. ;"' Professor Rhys's " Lectures on WelshPhilology ;" Rev. I. Taylor's "Words and Places ;" Jones s "History of Breconshire," &c.The most difficult names have been left almost unnoticed by our tourists andtopographers, and in our endeavour to throw light upon these obscure names it is probablethat we have not altogether avoided errors. In numerous instances we were deeplysensible of our failure to realise the import of the proverb, " Happy is he who knows theorigin of things." In anticipation of the discovery of many errors by Welsh philologists andantiquarians, the Author humbly claims their sympathetic consideration, and invokes theirvaluable assistance to rectify the same when the opportunity is afforded them.He has had to consider some ingenious conjectures, far-fetched derivations, and wildetymological dreams with great patience and caution before arriving at his ownconclusions. In a large number of examples he had no option but to endeavour toascertain their origin by conjecture.During the issue of the Essay a large number of friends, both in England and Wales,expressed a strong desire to see it re-published in book form. Mr. Henry Richard, MP.,wrote, ** I really think you ought to put your Essay into a more permanent form." Mr.Southey, the prize donor, not only consented, but urgently requested the Author to accedeto their desire. Steps were accordingly taken to test the extent of this feeling, with theresult that a sufficient number of copies was subscribed for to indemnify the Author againstloss, and thereupon it was decided to submit the Essay, with amplifications andemendations, to the leading public.It was once intended to supplement a chapter on Welsh place-names in England, but whatwith the amplifications and appendices of the Essay, together with the addition of theplace-names of Monmouthshire, the dimensions assigned to the book have beenaltogether occupied. Should the contents of this little volume be the means of throwing anylight on this interesting branch of Welsh literature, and thereby enhance the vitality of thedear old language in the estimation of the reader, the Author will be more than amplycompensated.Dowlais, January, 1887. THOMAS MORGAN.§ § § § §Origin of Place-names in Wales & Monmouthshire Page 3