Editorial

It is with pleasure we present the second volume of the Local History of Carmarthenshire. The main themes of this volume are the growth of Llanelly as an important trading and administrative centre, the contribution of Madam Bevan to the religious and educational developments in the 18th century and an historical survey of Carmarthen Grammar School.

The three articles written by the late Mr. Hopkin Morgan, are by no means a full account of the history of Llanelly. Mr. Morgan has written a comprehensive history of the town which his daughter, Miss M. W. Morgan, has graciously placed at the disposal of the Carmarthenshire Community Council. These articles are therefore only an introduction to an interesting subject which is closely interwoven with the history of our county. The wide knowledge of the author and the clarity of his style will make an immediate appeal to the scholar as well as to the layman interested in the significance of pre-20th century Llanelly.

The article on Madam Bevan by a former distinguished headmaster of Llanelly Grammar School, is a provocative controversial account of the part played by this illustrious lady in the educational and religious life of 18th century Carmarthenshire. Mr. Thomas strongly disagrees with Professor Cavenagh’s description of Madam Bevan as a "fussy busy body" and with Dr. B. T. Jenkins’ reference to her as "menyw ffolog fusneslyd." The author has neglected nothing that could illustrate the remarkable character of his heroine. This is a work of original reflection and mature judgement.

Mr. A. G. Prys-Jones needs no introduction, for readers will recall to mind his Vol. I of the History of Carmarthenshire. The most fascinating pages in his article are those on the achievements in the political, legal, educational and ecclesiastical professions of old pupils of this famous school. The work is a factual, authoritative and entertaining survey of the growth of an important educational institution.

A number of persons have made possible this publication. I am greatly indebted to Mr. Iorwerth Howells, B.A., LL.B., for his keen interest and invaluable support; to Mr. Gwyn Thomas, M.A., Deputy Director of Education, and Mr. Elwyn Samuel, J.P., Secretary of the Carmarthenshire Community Council, for the encouragement they have given me and the easy grace with which they put their materials and knowledge at my disposal.

I feel an immeasurable debt of gratitude to the authors and particularly to Miss M. W. Morgan, daughter of the late Mr. Hopkin Morgan, for her liberality in making family documents available.

Golygyddol

Mae’n hyfrydwch mawr gennym gyflwyno ail gyfrol Hanes Lleol Sir Gaerfyrddin. Prif themâu’r gyfrol yw twf Llanelli fel canolfan mastiachol a gweinyddol pwysig, cyfraniad Madam Bevan ddiatblygiadau crefyddol ac addysgol ac arolwg hanesyddol ar Ysgol Ramadeg Caerfyrddin.

Nid yw’r tair erthygl a ysgrifennwyd gan y diweddar Mr. Uph Morgan yn honni gan y diweddar Mr. Hopkin Morgan yn honni bod yn adrodiadd llawn o hanes Llanelli. Mae Mr. Morgan wedi ysgrifennu hanes cynhwysfawr i'r dre ac y mae ei ferch, Miss M. W. Morgan wedi ei osod, yn garedig iawn, yn nwylo Cyngor Cymdeithasol Sir Gaerfyrddin. Dim ond rhagarweiniad, felly, yw’r erthyglau hyn i destun diddorol sydd wedi ei weu yn fanwl i mewn i hanes ein sir. Mae gwybodaeth eang yr awdur a’i awdull glir yn sicr o apelio’n syth at yr ysgolhaig yn ogystal a’r lleygwr sydd a diddordeb yn arwyddocâd Llanelli yn y cyfnodau cyn yr cyfnodau ugeinfed ganrif.

Mae’r erthygl ar Fadam Bevan gan gyn-brifathro enwog Ysgol Ramadeg Llanelli yn adroddiad cyffrous a dadleuol o’r rhan a chwaraewyd gan y ddynes hyglod hon yn hanes bywyd addysgol a chrefyddol Sir Gar yn y ddeunawfed ganrif. Mae Mr. Thomas yn anghytuno’n ffyrnig a disgrifiad yr Athro Cavanagh o Fadam Bevan fel dynes ffyslyd fusneslyd, a chyfeiriad y Dr. R. T. Jenkins ati fel "menyw ffolog fusneslyd." Nid yw’r awdur wedi gadael dim allan a allai daflu golau ar gymeriad hynod ei arwres. Mae hon yn astudiaeth wreiddiol ac yn ffrwyth barn aeddfed.

‘Does dim eisiau cyflwyno Mr. A. G. Prys-Jones i ddarllenwyr sy’n coflo ei gyfrol gyntaf o Hanes Sir Gaerfyrddin. Y tudalennau mwyaf trawiadol yn ei erthygl yw’r rhai hynny sy’n son am gyflawniadau hen ddisgyblion yr ysgol hon yn y meysydd politicaidd, cyfreithiol, addysgol ac eglwysig. Mae hwn yn arolwg ffeithiol, awdurdodol a diddorol a dyfiant sefydliad addysgol pwysig.

Mae nifer a bersonau wedi gwneud cyhoeddi’r llyfryn hwn yn bosibl. Rwy’n fawr yn nyled Mr. Iorwerth Howells, B.A., Ll.B., am ei ddiddordeb brwd a’i gefnogaeth werthfawr, i Mr. Gwyn Thomas. M.A., Dirprwy Gyfarwyddwr Addysg ac i Mr. Elwyn Samuel, J P., Ysgrifennydd Cyngor Cymdeithasol Sir Gaerfyrddin am yr anogaeth a roddwyd i mi, ac i’w parodrwydd yn rhoi eu defnyddiau a’u gwybodaeth at fy ngwasanaeth.

Mae arnaf faich arbennig o ddyled i’r awduron, ac yn arbennig i Miss W. Morgan merch y diweddar Mr. Hopkin Morgan am ei charedigrwydd yn rhol dogfennau teuluol at ein gwasanaeth.
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