late to present to the museum a print of the Goddess of Mercy, given to him by the Buddist priests of the Temple of Fo, in Amoy, having on it impressions of two seals in the same character. This communication was interesting as the first actual interpretation by a Chinese scholar, and fixes beyond doubt the fact of the seals found in different parts of Ireland being Chinese, however singular it may appear.

TO GENEALOGISTS. A correspondent requests us to obtain some information for him concerning "the family of Sir William Griffith of Penrhyn (or as it is sometimes called, Pentrim,) in North Wales, (Caernarvonshire?) whose daughter Janet married John Philipps of Picton. And also concerning Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Fletcher of Bangor, who married Morgan Philipps of Picton. These persons were the father and grandfather of the first Sir John Philipps of Picton Castle, who was the immediate progenitor of the late Lord Milford, Sir W. Laugharne, the Rev. H. Philipps of Fittleton, and his brothers." Another correspondent says, "In the life of Dr. John Donne, Dean of St. Paul's, London, it is said that he was son of a merchant of London, descended from an ancient Welsh family. As I am of the same name, and a native of the Principality, and have never ascertained how that connexion stood, his ancestry traced by one of your correspondents would be very acceptable."

Our readers will find announced in another place the formation of the London Genealogical Society, and also the intention of that body to proceed to make a new heraldic visitation of Wales. Whatever may be the condition of our heraldic knowledge of other epochs, there is no doubt that a correct visitation for the present day would be highly desirable; and we therefore wish the promoters of this undertaking all success.

THE MYVYRIAN ARCHAIOLOGY. -The editors of the Archeologia Cambrensis have coalesced with Mr. W. Rees of Llandovery in their plan of publishing a new edition of this work - an idea previously entertained, and partly acted upon, by that gentleman. Mr. Rees intends bringing out the new edition under the auspices of the Welsh MSS. Society; but as some correspondence is now going on with Professor Meyer and other learned Celtic scholars upon this subject, the final proposals for the new edition will not be issued until the appearance of No. III. of the Archeologia Cambrensis.

The HERALDIC VISITATION OF WALES, by Lewys Dwnn, has not yet been issued to the subscribers, (fortunate people, those who have been in time to get their names put on the rapidly closing list,) owing to some important additions for several counties, (as we understand.) In order to satisfy the impatience of antiquaries to know the nature of its contents, we had intended to print the tables given in Mr. W. Rees's circular; but we are forced to abandon this idea for want of room.

LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL. A most eloquent address from the pen of the late lamented Dean of Llandaff has been published in that diocese, calling upon the public to subscribe towards the fund for restoring and completing the Cathedral Church. This call has been responded to in a noble manner, and the amount subscribed is stated to be upwards of £2000 by the Clergy alone of the diocese, and £270 by the clergy of other dioceses. The Bishop of Llandaff heads this honourable list with a donation of £500; we hope to hear that the Laity do not intend to let the Clergy bear the heat and burthen of this task by themselves; and indeed we doubt not but that the spirit of

South Wales, will prompt the doing of good deeds. After a brief sketch of the history of Llandaff Cathedral, the Dean appends the following remarks, in the spirit of which we are sure that our readers will join as heartily as ourselves.

To that natural enquiry “What have you done for yourselves? — How far have you put your own shoulders to the burthen? we answer-we have done what we could. We have at our own capitular cost, placed a new covering of lead over the whole of the roof of the Cathedral, the aisles, and the chapel. We have raised a new ceiling within; we have also, from our own private, as well as from capitular resources, assisted by the clergy and some leading persons of the diocese, effected the restoration of the Welsh chapel, in a manner entirely approved by competent judges and men of taste.

Our desire now is to carry on the work of improvement in the Cathedral at large. How far this desire may be accomplished must depend upon the extent of our means. Earnestly do we hope that your liberality may enable us to effect a complete restoration of the beautiful and venerable fabric; but, should our funds prove insufficient for the immediate execution of that purpose, we are justified in expecting that enough may be collected, not only to execute the extensive improvements now in hand, but to carry forward its gradual restoration upon a settled and uniform plan, and in a style of architecture, corresponding with the noble remains of the ancient edifice. What may then remain unfinished may be completed by the piety of those who follow us in the good work. Care being studiously taken to do nothing ourselves which they may wish undone; but, on the contrary, to leave them an example, which shall at once guide and encourage them in prosecuting the same design.

That wishes and efforts having such an object in view will be met by the public with a willing heart and a liberal hand, we entertain no doubt. We are far from reflecting upon the want of taste of our predecessors, who, near a century ago, refitted the church for Divine Service, after it had lain 30 years in ruins. They did what they could, according to the style of that age- when the arts and, more especially, architecture were in this country at the lowest ebb. We are anxious to remedy those defects. We appeal to an age far more wealthy and far better taught, to supply us with funds, which they may be sure will now be applied with equal zeal, but with infinitely better effect. We call upon the lovers of our Reformed Church to lend a friendly hand to this pious work-to help us when struggling in a good cause-labouring to change a disfigured, but still a venerable structure, into a form worthy of its solemn and holy purposes, and corresponding with the dignity of a Cathedral Institution. Without such aid the object is unattainable. We shall still, indeed, make the attempt,-let in not be said that you looked on with indifference, and that in consequence of that indifference our attempt has been unsuccessful.

WILLIAM BRUCE KNIGHT.

We were mis-informed when we stated in No. I that the Caernarvon Museum "had fallen to pieces;" we have since beheld it with our own eyes, not in pieces, but buried deep in dust, — and what is worse, oblivion. As, however, there is every prospect of it, being resuscitated, together with an efficient local Antiquarian society, we shall live in hopes of better

accounts.

Two silver coins, one apparently of Alfred, and both certainly Saxon, in an extraordinary state of preservation, have been recently dug up in the garden of the Vicarage-house, near Bangor Cathedral, and have been most kindly communicated to us by the Rev. J. Hamer, Senior Vicar. We hope in No. III. to be able to give an illustrated description of them.

We recommend all persons anxious to complete their sets of the Archeologia Cambrensis to purchase without delay the first number, if they are not already possessed of it. Copies are still on sale; but these will soon be made up into the first volume of the work, and then detached numbers will no longer be at the service of the public.

Reviews.

[Owing to the unexpected pressure of matter furnished for the present Number, we are obliged to postpone the reviews which we had intended to make of some valuable books that have been kindly sent to us. We hope that our friends will accept this apology for what might otherwise seem want of attention upon our parts. EDD. ARCH. CAMB.]

1. AN ESSAY ON THE INFLUENCE OF WELSH TRADITION UPON THE LiterATURE OF GERMANY, FRANCE, AND SCANDINAVIA.-Translated from the German of ALBERT SCHULZ, Author of the Life of WOLFRAN VON ESCHENBACH, &c., &c. W. Rees: Llandovery.

This Essay obtained the prize of eighty guineas, awarded by the Society of the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion, at their Eisteddfod in 1840. In attempting an analysis of this remarkable work, we feel that we cannot do better than borrow the words of Chevelier Bunsen, the Judge on that occasion.

The author's general view of tradition is exposed in the introduction. According to these principles he establishes in the first chapter that Arthur has been, with an element of fiction progressively changing, the national hero of Wales, from the year 600, to the year 1066, or the epoch of William of Malmesbury. He tries to prove in the same manner, in his second chapter, that the formation of the poetical tales of the Knights of the Round Table, took place in the second period, from 1066 to 1150; or, from the time of William of Malmesbury to the beginning of French and German romance. And here he brings under discussion the relative claims of Wales and Britany; showing the superiority of the second for the formation of the poetry about most of the knights of Arthur, and of all the personages belonging to his court, as he has established in the first chapter the superiority of the Welsh claims for the traditions respecting King Arthur personally.

It is to the third period, from 1150 to 1500,-or, from the dawn to the last glimpse of romance in France and Germany, that the author ascribes, in the third chapter, the formation of the poetry of the Graal, in the romances of Titurel and Parcival. And here he enters into a complete critical analysis of the latter (the first ever given), in order to prove that it consists of two heterogeneous elements; one taken from the Kymri sources, brought only in our days to light, as such, in the important Mabinogi, published by Lady Charlotte Guest; the other a religious one, which, according to him, originated in Provence and in Spain, indicating a remarkable connexion with the symbolic institution and rites of the Knights Templars. Of the two remaining chapters, the first (fourth chapter), considers the influence of Welsh poetry on the form of the poetry of the middle ages, as the preceding researches had established the influence on its materials. Rejecting the opinion of the Arabic or Roman origin of rhyme, he endeavours to prove that rhyme is undoubtedly the invention of the Celtic race. He illustrates this assertion by a very judicious selection of facts and evidences.

The last, or fifth chapter, discussing the nature of the Scandinavian traditions, particularly the Icelandic, and their connexion with the nature of the most ancient Anglo-Saxons, as exhibited principally by Beowulf, establishes their originality, fixes their respective age, and shows that those elements in Scandinavian literature which regard the Arthurian cyclus, have the least claim to originality, as they are entirely separated from their own ancient traditions, and evidently taken from the French and German romances.

If the investigation of the fourth chapter cannot well be said to be excluded by the words of the prize question, nor unimportant for the solution of the great problem of originality and relative historical influence of Welsh traditions on the literature of Europe; the object of the last chapter is directly indicated by the words of that question. The conclusion of the whole treatise shows the bearing of the results obtained, upon the general history of European literature and civilization.

We ought to mention that the arrangement alluded to by Chevalier Bunsen, as existing in the original manuscript, has been somewhat altered

in the English translation, the three Arthurian periods forming but one chapter. An appendix and addenda have been also added. Surely a work like the present, coming as it does, from a learned foreigner, ought to remove some of the sneering doubts, which so many affect to entertain as to the real merits of the ancient literature of Wales, and induce them to come forward to promote the laudable objects of the Welsh MSS. Society. 2. Barzaz-BreiZ: CHANTS POPUlaires de la BRETAGNE, &c. Par Tн. HERSART DE LA VILLEMARQUE. Paris, 1845. 2 vols. 12mo. Delloye. The writer of the essay just noticed, gave us to understand in it, that "the Comte de la Villemarque, had promised the publication of an important, and of its kind unique, series of ancient Breton traditions, which have been preserved upwards of ten centuries, and which still exist in the mouth of the people." (p. 27.) And here we have already the third edition of the work; no mean evidence, at any rate, of its popularity. In consequence of the reciprocity of feeling and manners which formerly existed between the Welsh and Bretons, this book is calculated to throw considerable light upon difficult passages and obscure allusions in our early compositions, even as the distinguished editor derived no small assistance towards elucidating his arguments from our primitive bards. With that view we especially recommend it to the notice of our Cambrian antiquaries. The songs are on different subjects, and written in various dialects; some are extremely simple and beautiful. They are accompanied by a French translation; but a native Welshman would hardly require any translation at all, for where is the material difference between the opposite stanzas following?

WELSH.

yw gwin gwyn bar1 Na mwyar!

Gwell yw gwin gwyn bar.

Gwell yw gwin newydd,

O! na medd ;
Gwell yw gwin newydd.

Gwell yw gwin Gal

Nag aval;
Gwell yw gwin Gal.

Gwaed rhudd a gwin gwyn

Yn awon (avon)!

Gwaed rhudd a gwin gwyn.

3. THE HISTORY OF KINGTON, WITH AN APPENDIX, by a Member of the Mechanics' Institute, Kington. 8vo. pp. 303. Humphreys, Kington;

Williams, London. 1845.

This work contains an historical and descriptive account of Kington and neighbourhood, in the county of Hereford; and although the place is at present within the English borders, yet it is on the Welsh side of Offa's Dyke, and formerly constituted part of one of the Lordships Marcher of Wales, and therefore a notice of it is deemed an appropriate article for the Archeologia Cambrensis.

The work is divided into fifteen chapters, and an appendix; and the title of the first chapter is, Etymology and History of the Town and Manor, which commences as follows:

The name of the town is written in ancient documents in various different 1 A bunch.

ARCHEOL. CAMB. VOL. I.]

U

ways; as Chingtune, Kingstown, Kyngton, Kynton, Kinton, Kineton, Keinghton, and Kington; the latter of which, and the most usual at present, is the correct one, having been given to it in honour of King Edward the Confessor, who obtained property in the district in the eleventh century. (p. 1.)

We are then informed that the inhabitants of the district, when Britain was invaded by the Romans, were called Silures; who lost their name when their country was subdued by the Saxon arms, and the district became part of Ferregs or Ferlex, being the tract of country between the Severn and the Wye, and comprehending the present counties of Hereford and Radnor. The work then proceeds :

About the year 560, it was conquered from its possessors by Caradoc Vraichoras, Earl of Glocester, previous to his going further westward, and obtaining by conquest the sovereignty of the country of Brecknock. And it appears that the government of the district of Kington remained in the princes of Brecknock until they were dispossessed of it by Earl Harold in the eleventh century. In the year 1055, the 13th of the reign of Edward the Confessor, Griffith ap Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, having been excited and assisted by Algar Earl of Chester, assembled his forces, attacked the English and made an inroad into Herefordshire. When within two miles of Hereford, he was opposed by Ralph Earl of Hereford, who had raised what troops he could to stop his progress. The consequence was that a battle was fought, the issue of which was for some time dubious; but at length the Welsh were successful; a tumultuous pursuit took place, and the two armies entering the city together, the whole became a scene of pillage and slaughter. The battle took place on the 24th day of October, and it is probable that the inhabitants of Kington assisted the Welsh, who were then their countrymen, on this memorable occasion. King Edward being informed of these proceedings, which were so disastrous to his subjects, caused a great army to be collected at Glocester, the command whereof was given to Harold, Earl of the West Saxons, which the Welsh Prince dreaded, and retreating into North Wales, left the country at the mercy of the victors.

Harold, having driven the hostile army from the district of Kington, from political motives and by way of revenge for the aid afforded to his enemies, dispossessed the land-proprietors of their estates, and divided them between the King, himself, and the officers of his army. What the name of Kington was previously, is not known; but the place, as well as many others in the surrounding district, obtained at that time, a new appellation as well as a new proprietor; it was deprived of its ancient Welsh name, and the present English one given in its stead.

It is to be observed that, although Kington and the surrounding district had the names of the places and their land-proprietors changed by the proceedings of Earl Harold, the royalty was permitted to remain to the Prince of Brecknock; who at that time was Maenarch ap Dryffin, and was the 12th in succession from his ancester Caradoc Vraichoras before mentioned. The territories of Bleddin ap Maenarch, Prince of Brecknock, the son of the preceding, having been invaded by the Norman chieftain, Bernard Newmarch, a battle was fought between the contending armies, near Brecknock, in the year 1092, in which the Welsh Prince was slain, and his troops defeated. In consequence of the victory gained by Bernard, he succeeded to the government of the district, and Brecknock with its dependencies became one of the Lordships Marcher and subject to an English Lord. Bernard Newmarch, after the defeat and death of Bleddin, proceeded to distribute the domains he had acquired agreeably to the feudal system then prevailing, reserving to himself the principal parts, among which was Huntington and Kington, with the seigniory of the whole. To strengthen his interest among the Welsh, he married Nest, grand-daughter of Griffith ap Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, before mentioned, by whom, besides other children, he had a son, Mahel, and a daughter, Sibil. He died in the reign of Henry I. Pp. 3-5.

The work proceeds to relate the particulars of the several lords of the district in succession, descendants of the said Sibil, until the reign of Henry VII., when the lordship was possessed by Edward, Duke of Buckingham, who being charged with high treason was beheaded in 1521, and in the following year an act was passed for his attainder, whereby his property was confiscated and fell to the Crown, in whose possession it remained until