A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Jones, Edward

JONES, Edward, was born at a farm house called Henblas,—i. e. Old Mansion,—Llanderfel, Merionethshire, on Easter Sunday, 1752. His father taught him and another son to play on the Welsh harp, and other sons on bowed instruments, so that the family formed a complete string band. Edward soon attained to great proficiency on his instrument. About 1775 he came to London, and in 1783 was appointed bard to the Prince of Wales. In 1786 he published 'Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards, with a General History of the Bards and Druids, and a Dissertation on the Musical Instruments of the Aboriginal Britons'; a work of learning and research. Another edition appeared in 1794, and in 1802 a second volume of the work was issued under the title of 'The Bardic Museum.' Jones had prepared a third volume, a portion only of which was published at his death, the remainder being issued subsequently. The three volumes together contain 225 Welsh airs. Besides this, he compiled and edited 'Lyric Airs; consisting of Specimens of Greek, Albanian, Walachian, Turkish, Arabian, Persian, Chinese, and Moorish National Songs and Melodies; with … a few Explanatory Notes on the Figures and Movements of the Modern Greek Dances, and a short Dissertation on the Origin of the Ancient Greek Music,' 1804; 'The Minstrel's Serenades'; 'Terpsichore's Banquet, a Selection of Spanish, Maltese, Russian, Armenian, Hindostan, English, German, French and Swiss Airs'; 'The Musical Miscellany, chiefly selected from eminent composers'; 'Musical Remains of Handel, Bach, Abel, etc.'; 'Choice Collection of Italian Songs'; 'The Musical Portfolio, consisting of English, Scotch, Irish, and other favourite Airs'; 'Popular Cheshire Melodies'; 'Musical Trifles calculated for Beginners on the Harp'; and 'The Musical Bouquet, or Popular Songs and Ballads.' Besides his professional pursuits Jones filled a situation in the Office of Robes at St. James's Palace. He collected an extensive library of scarce and curious books, part of which, to the value of about £300, he sold in the latter part of his life, and the remainder was dispersed by auction after his death, realising about £800. He died, as he was born, on Easter Day, April 18, 1824.

[ W. H. H. ]