CHAPTER VI. A Letter from the Rev. John Peter.
"Independent College,
Bala,
January 12, 1871.
Risiart Ddu o Wynedd as Student, Poet, Preacher, and Christian.
One of the peculiarities, as well as one of the good qualities, of Risiart Ddu was his completeness in all things. Take him in whatever light you may, he was superior, and won your admiration and affection. In his earthly tabernacle alone was his weakness. While at Bala he did not enjoy much health; but through all his weakness he was quite energetic. Many a man of his ambition, but afflicted with physical debility, would have given up and broken his heart.
Many think that melancholy is an indication of a great poet. Mr. Edwards was a laborious and prolific poet, and sometimes showed signs of deep study, but I have never seen him languish. This was one secret of his conversational power. He felt such interest in topics, especially in poetry; and had such perfect self confidence, that he would converse lively for half a day with any one of kindred spirit. Indeed he sometimes would be so taken up with his subject that it was amusing to persons of cooler temperament to watch him. But he in no wise lacked discretion; great as his conversational power was, he could also keep silent as well as anybody. He composed his Awdl on "Ioan yn Ynys Patmos," which won the Chair of the National Eisteddfod, without any one of
