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    abhorrence of s ^ ch outrages , and of their condolence with Dr . Priestley in his suf ^ feiiings and losses . These resolutions were afterwards transmitted to Dr . Priestiey by the late Rev . Josiafr Rees , of Gel-. Hgfon * The proceeding was highly

    creditable to the parties engaged in it . For they consisted of Trinitarians and Allans , there not being present probably more than one Unitarian at most . Many of them were strongly prejudiced against Dr . Priestley on account of his religious sentiments ; but they acted on public grounds .

    Mr . Davis was warmly attached to the principles of civil as well as religious liberty . His principles were , however , those of the British constitution , considering that to be the best adapted to the state of society in this country . Being

    with many other excellent men of the time , friendly to the French Revolution , whilst it promised to issue in the establishment of rational liberty , he was soon reported by some political bigots to the higher authorities as a man to be marked and watched . The hint was

    taken , and the surveyor of taxes for the district was instructed by the Treasury to keep an eye upon his proceedings . The surveyor having mentioned his instructions to a respectable clergyman to whom Mr . Davis was well known , was informed that he might be perfectly easy on this subject , the clergyman assuring him that he would pledge himself for the constir tutional loyalty of his principles and the corifetftness of his political conduct ^ and here the matter ended !

    As a preacher Mr . Davis possessed uncommon powers . His mind was clear and capacious ; he usually took a comprehensive view of his subject , and he was generally very happy in the arrangement trf -his thoughts . When he took pains in the study and delivery of his sermons , his pulpit eloquence was remarkably striking and effective . His appeals to the understandings , to the

    consciences , and to the feelings of his auditory were at such times resistless . These excellencies were , however , mingled with some defects . His composition and delivery / frequently wanted the correction and polish of a cultivated taste . The character of his auditors , who were for the most part small farmers and labourers , and his confidence in his extemporaneous conimand of language , rendered 'him too often careless in the

    preparation * of his public discourses . His pathos , wiiich wab among his chief exteitenetef *; and acquired great power ^ rom the rich and deep tones of his fine voice ,

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    was sometimes pushed to an extreme which greatly weakened its effect . His favourite topic was the love of God to his creatures . And this was a theme , on which he displayed his eloquence to the greatest advantage . He was distinguished by great sensibility and warmth of feeling . This gave elevation and fervour to his devotional

    addresses , which rendered them peculiarly interesting and animating to his hearers . Mr . Davis possessed a very happy talent for conversation . His rich humour , his ready wit , and his exhaustless store of anecdotes , caused his company to be much sought . His own delight in society , and the pleasure he imparted to

    every circle , sometimes led to a dissipation of his time , which prudence and a regard to more serious duties could hardly justify ; but it is due to him to say , that his morals were always pure and irreproachable . The attention demanded by his duties as a minister and a schoolmaster left him

    little leisure for literary composition * In early life he published a translation , in Welsh , of Scoug&l ' s treatise on " The Life of God in the Soul of Man . " At the request of Mr . Archdeacon Beynen he began a translation of Dr . Taylor ' s Key to the Epistle to the Romans , but he made little progress in the work . He frequently employed his pen in the

    composition of short poetical pieces in the Welsh language , and wrote many excellent hymns . He also translated some favourite English poems . His principal poetical pieces were lately collected and published in one volume duodecimo , under the title of Telyn Dewi , or " David ' s Harp ; " to which there is prefixed a portrait of the author . He

    was esteemed a very good Welsh poet and critic * In the Analytical Review , Vol . ¦ VII . -pp . 295 , &c , is an article by him on the Welsh Poems of Davydd ap Gwilym . Mr . Archdeacon Beynon lately said of him at a public meeting at Carmarthen : " Mr . Davis ' , of Castle Howel , is the nearest approach , in ray opinion , to good

    poetry of any an the language . Some of his poems are exquisitely beautiful , particularly his translation of Gray's Elegy . This is equal to any thing in auy language whatever . If that extraordinary man had been introduced in early life into polished society , and had enjoyed the advantages of an University education , he would , doubtless have proved one of its brightest ornaments /' The folio wing little piece , in one of the Welsh metres , was composedon an ami-

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    < 6 Sfcl fMktiufy . —Rev . David DM fa

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1827, page 694, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1800/page/62/