Welsh Journals

The Right Rev. Connop Thirwall, D.D. (Lord Bishop of St. David's, 1840-1874) Alfred Ollivant, D.D. (Lord Bishop of Llandaff, 1849-1882). 'numerously and respectably signed Requisition to the Mayor' (J. T. Jenkin), a public meeting in the Guildhall was held to consider the propriety of memorialising the County Magistrates to reconsider their decision. After a powerful plea by George Grant Francis that chaplains should be able to communicate in their own language with the prisoners, many of whom were in separate cells to which only prison officers and chaplains had access, a resolution deploring the proposed appointment of gentlemen 'totally ignorant of the language of the country' was passed unanimously. This was followed by a second resolution 'earnestly but respectfully' entreating the magistrates to revise their selection of candidates and appoint only those who are able to perform the duties of the office in the Welsh and English languages. Copies of the day's proceedings were forwarded to the Home Secretary, the two Bishops, the Lord Lieutenant and M.Ps. for the County and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Quarter Sessions. At the next meeting of the county magistrates, the Swansea M.P., Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn, presented the local ratepayers' memorial, as requested, while a letter from the Bishop of Llandaff referred to the view of magistrates visiting Swansea Goal that Welsh was essential. In reply to those concerned with the Cardiff prison who believed that the need for Welsh had decreased, it was pointed out that many knew enough English to discuss business matters, but, being used to worshipping in Welsh, were not able to express their religious needs in any other language. Mr. Dillwyn pressed for postponement but the Chairman, the Cardiff Stipendiary Magistrate, R. Oliver Jones, supported by Walter Coffin and others, mainly from the East of the County, was adamant that the matter should be decided without further delay. Others, like N. V. E. Vaughan and Pascoe St. Leger Grenfell, were having second thoughts. Mr. Dillwyn's brother-in-law, Matthew Moggridge, challenged those present who claimed to know French, German or Italian to carry on a sustained conversation in a language other than their mother tongue. He believed they had made a mistake in the first place in overlooking the importance of Welsh. The Chairman parried by saying the previous chaplain to the Swansea House of Correction, the Vicar of Swansea, the Rev. E. B. Squire, had got by with the help of a Welsh-speaking curate and this could be done again. To back down now would be to forfeit the respect of those candidates summoned to the meeting.