DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER.

IN consequence of the two volumes of the Memoirs being prefixed to the Works of Sir WILLIAM JONES, the 1st, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11th volumes, become now the 3d, 4, 5, &c. two volumes onward. The Binder will therefore be very careful to place the plates in the following order:

Errata. Place the Plates marked vol. VI. page 26, Nos. 1, 2, 3, &c.

The etched head of Sir WILLIAM JONES to be placed opposite the title-page of volume I. of the Memoirs; the fac-simile of his writing at p. 513 of volume II. of the Memoirs; and the engraved head of Sir WILLIAM JONES to be placed opposite the title to volume III.

MEMOIRS

OF THE

LIFE, WRITINGS, AND CORRESPONDENCE,

OF

SIR WILLIAM JONES.

THE origin of the family of Sir WILLIAM JONES on the maternal fide, has been traced, by the industry of Lewis Morris, a learned British antiquary, to the ancient Princes and Chieftains of North Wales. With whatever delight, however, the Cambrian genealogist might pursue the line of his ancestry, a barren catalogue of uncouth names would furnish no entertainment to the reader. I fhall only transcribe from the lift a fingle and remarkable name in one of the collateral branches, that of William o Dregaian, who died in one thousand five hundred and eighty Life-V. I.

B

one, at the age of one hundred and five years; with the note annexed to it, that by three wives he had thirty-fix children, seven more by two concubines, and that eighty of his iffue, during his life, were living in the parish of Tregaian, in Anglesey.

But I infert, without apology for the anticipation, a letter addreffed by Mr. Morris to the father of Sir William Jones, as an interefting memorial of an ancient custom which is daily falling into difufe, and a pleafing fpecimen of the mind and talents of the writer.

SIR;

TO WILLIAM JONES, Efquire.

January 1, 1748.

It was a custom among the Ancient Britons (and ftill retained in Anglesey) for the most knowing among them in the descent of families, to fend their friends of the same stock or family, a dydd calan Ionawr a calennig, a present of their pedigree; which was in order, I prefume, to keep up a friendship among relations, which these people

preferved furprisingly, and do to this day among the meaneft of them, to the fixth and

feventh degree.

Some writers take notice that the Gauls also were noted for this affection and regard for their own people, though ever so distantly related. These things, to be fure, are trifles: but all other things in the world are trifles.

too.

I take men's bodies in the fame fenfe as I take vegetables. Young trees propagated by feed or grafts, from a good old tree, certainly owe fome regard to their primitive flock, provided trees could act and think; and as for my part, the very thought of those brave people, who struggled fo long with a superior power for their liberty, infpires me with fuch an idea of them, that I almoft adore their memories. Therefore, to keep up that old laudable cuftom, I herewith fend you a calennig of the fame kind as that above mentioned; which I defire you will accept of.

I have reason to know, it is founded on good authority; for both my father and mo

ther were related to your mother, and came from the fame ftock mentioned in the in

closed; which is the reafon I am fo well acquainted with your mother's defcent; and on the fame account, till further enquiry, an utter ftranger to your father's family.

As you were young when you left the country, it cannot be supposed that you could know much of these things. I have had too much time there; I wish I had not; for I might have applied it to better use than I have. If this gives you any pleasure, I shall be glad of it; if not, commit it to the flames: and believe me to be, with truth and fincerity, &c. LEWIS MORRIS.

Leaving the genealogical splendour of the family of Sir William Jones to the contemplation of the antiquary, it may be remarked with pleasure, that its latest defcendants have a claim to reputation, founded upon the honourable and unambiguous teftimony of perfonal merit. His father was the celebrated philofopher and mathematician who fo emi