Welsh Journals

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SOME CARDIGANSHIRE BROADSIDES ABOUT the year 1912 the National Library of Wales acquired from the proprietor of The Tivyside Advertiser a very substantial file of posters, handbills, and other broadsides, together with a few pamphlets, which had been printed at that office between 1825 and 1865. In his Glean- ings from a Printer's File (Aberystwyth, 1928) Sir John Ballinger dealt with a small selection of these documents, which, as was to be expected, relate to the town of Cardigan and its immediate neighbourhood. It is to be regretted that few such files have been preserved, for they generally contain much that is of interest to the local historian, and sometimes provide quite valuable information for the social and econ- omic study of the country during a particular period. For this article the writer has made use of those papers in the Cardigan file which are not mentioned by Sir John Ballinger, together with smaller collections of broadsides issued by other Cardiganshire printers during the nineteenth century, now also in the National Library. Many of these papers are undated, but, except in one or two instances, this does not detract from their value. A significant fact, worthy of note in these days of frequent reports upon the state of the Welsh language, is that most of those who used the press for advertising purposes found it necessary to do so in both English and Welsh almost to the end of the century. One of the most interesting and original business advertisements, written entirely in Welsh, is that issued by Joseph Roberts who kept Shop Fawr y Gomel' (the Large Corner Stores) in Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth. Entitled A Discussion between two farmers, Williams of Trawstmawr, and Jenkyn Morgan of Pencwmllydan it purports to contain important news for the inhabitants of Cardigan- shire during the present depressing times, particularly for farmers'. Jenkyn states that he is in good fettle, notwithstanding the fact that on the previous day at Lledrod Fair he had sold two cows for 25s. a head, whereas a few years ago the same would have secured him £ 6 each. Both farmers complain of the high rents, the increasing taxes, and the demand for higher wages. The discussion then turns upon the amazing feat of Ned Robert, (? junior) servant at Trawstmawr, who dresses so well on an annual wage of £ 3, whereas Jack Morris, who gets £ 9 per annum as servant at Pencwmllydan, is always in rags. The reasons are not far to seek, for Ned is a total abstainer, a member of the Anti-Smoking Society, and above all he purchases his clothing for ready cash and at bargain prices at Shop Fawr y Gomel Then