Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 37.djvu/230

 about among the Welsh towards the middle of the twelfth century. From his elegy to Gruffydd ap Cynan we learn that he was ‘pencerdd’ (chief bard) under that prince (‘bum o du gwledig yn lleithiawc’ = ‘I sat by the monarch's side’—a privilege only enjoyed by the chief bard, Ancient Laws of Wales, edit. 1841, i. 74). On one occasion, we gather from the same source, he acted as envoy for the court of Aberffraw. His son, Gwalchmai, and his grandsons, Einion and Meilyr, also won renown as poets, and the family was for generations of consequence in Anglesey (, ii. 108, 128, 202, 266; Record of Carnarvon, Record edit. pp. 45, 46, 48).

 MEL (d. 487), Irish saint, is believed by Irish writers and in the district to have been founder of the see of Ardagh, now in co. Longford, a part of the ancient kingdom of Teffia in Meath. The genealogists do not attach him to any great clan, but state only that his father was Conis and his mother Darerca, sister of St. Patrick. Except a visit to Britain, and the foundation of the church and monastery of Ardagh about 454, and the confirmation of St. Brigit, all the events of his life are miraculous or symbolical. St. Brigit turned water into beer for him to drink, he fished for salmon, when visited by St. Patrick, in the puddles of a ploughed field, he prophesied the greatness of Brigit before her birth. The chronicles mention his death in 487, and he is noticed frequently in the lives of St. Patrick and St. Brigit. No early life of him is extant. His feast is kept on 6 Feb.

 MELBANCKE, BRIAN (fl. 1583), euphuistic writer, was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1579. In 1583 he described himself as ‘Student in Graies Inn,’ but his name cannot be found on the books.

He was the author of a book (now rare) entitled ‘Philotimus. The Warre betwixt Nature and Fortune,’ London, 1583. It is a close imitation of Lyly's ‘Euphues,’ and the many old proverbs and scraps of verse it contains render it quaint and interesting. On page 53 ‘Philotimus’ alludes to the story of Romeo and Juliet as well known and popular at the time. In an address to the ‘Gentlemen students in the Inns of Court and Chancerie, and the University of Cambridge,’ Melbancke acknowledges his failings in the use of the English tongue, and remarks that ‘if ever I had anything to vaunt … it was some small skill in other languages.’

In the registers of St. Olave's, Southwark, under date 3 June 1583, there is the entry, ‘Brian Mellebanke and Sara Baker married.’

 MELBOURNE,. [See, second , 1779–1848; , third , 1782-1853.]

MELCOMBE, (1691–1762), politician. [See .]

MELDOLA, RAPHAEL (1754–1828), Jewish theologian, son of Rabbi Hezekiah Meldola (d. 1791), was born at Leghorn in 1754. His forefathers through many generations were eminent rabbis; his grandfather was Raphael Meldola, the author of a collection of responsa called ‘Mayim Rabbim.’ In 1791 he bewailed the death of his father, to whose memory he dedicated the first-fruit of his literary labours, ‘Korban Min‘hah’ (A Meal Offering), being a Hebrew commentary on the ‘abhodah’ (i.e. the description of the sacrificial service on the Day of Atonement). The commentary, which is concise and clear, was published in ‘Sepher ‘abhodath hammikdash’ (Additional Service for the Day of Atonement), at Leghorn in 1791. In 1797 a second work of his was published at Leghorn, viz. ‘‘Huppath ‘Hathanim’ (Laws and Regulations concerning the Conduct of Jews and Jewesses when Engaged or Married); in the Introduction he wittily but sharply depicts the poverty of the rabbis, whose income was as a rule very small. He officiated as ‘dayyan’ (i.e. judge or assistant rabbi) in the Jewish congregation of Leghorn.

On 7 Oct. 1804 the congregation of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews in London appointed Meldola to the office of ‘‘hakham’ or ‘rabbi.’ The congregation had been without a spiritual chief since 1784. The task of inspiring the London community with fresh life