Phillips, Rev. Samuel, Llandewi, Swansea. Rees, Rev. W. Jenkin, Cascob Rectory, Presteign. Rees, W. Esq., Llandovery. Richards, John, Esq., Chadwick Mount, Liverpool. Richards, Rev. H., Ceidio, Caernarvonshire. Roberts, Rev. G., M.A., Vicarage, Monmouth. Roberts, Rev. T., Canon of Bangor, Hendre, Caernarvonshire. Roberts, Rev. Griffith, Rhiw, Caernarvonshire. Roberts, Mr. R., (Bard Treflys,) Treflys, Caernarvonshire. Shaw, Henry Esq., F.S.A., 37, Southampton Row, London. Simms, C. Esq., Manchester. Thelwall, Rev. Edward, Llanbedr, Ruthin. Turnbull, W. B. D. D., Esq., Secretary Soc. Antiq. Scot., 25, Great King Street, Edinburgh. Vincent, Rev. J., M.A., Llanfair Vechan, Caernarvonshire. Wakeman, Thomas Esq., Graig, Monmouth. Westwood, J. O., Esq., F.S.A., F.L.S., St. Peter's, Hammersmith. Williams, John Esq., Plas Tan yr allt, Caernarvonshire. Williams J., Esq., Tynewydd Caernarvonshire. Williams, Rev. Robert, M.A., Llangadwaladr, Denbighshire. Williams, Rev. John, (Ab Ithel) Nerquis, Mold. Williams, W., Esq., Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire Wynne, W. W. E., Esq., Peniarth, Merionethshire. Correspondence. ROMAN CAMP. To the Editors of the Archeologia Cambrensis. GENTLEMEN,-In the neighbourhood of Middlewich, there are traces of what is supposed to be a large Roman camp, not altogether without interest to Welsh antiquaries. They occur on some land belonging to Lord Vernon, in a field called Harbutt's or Harbone's field, close to some salt works. The river Dane runs on the N.W. side, and a Roman road along the N.E. side: on the s.w. side is the Trent and Mersey canal; and on the s.E. side is a deep fosse, close to the Wych House. What is now the lane on the east, has been, I have no doubt, part of the fosse, being an excavation for that distance without any other likely or probable object. On the west, there is a natural bank, falling rather abruptly to the stream. ARCHEOL. CAMB. vol. 1.] 3 H On the s.E. side of the camp there was a mound, removed a very few years since, by the present tenant of the land. A reference to the Ordnance Map will shew you the immediate connexion with the Roman road called King or Kind-street,-now the road from Middlewich to Northwich. As to the connexion of the camp with Wales, it would appear that the Welsh got their salt hence, prior to Henry III. M. Paris, quoted by Camden, page 561, says, "These salt pits were stopped by Henry III., when he wasted this country; that the Welsh, who were then in rebellion, might have no supplies from them. But upon the next return of peace they were opened again." You will find a good deal said on the subject of the roads to this camp, in Ormerod's Cheshire, vol. iii. p. 1 and 2; who there gives a long extract on the subject from Whitaker's History of Manchester, 4to. edition, i. p. 95. The latter, makes out a road to Chester, hence. Middlewich, June 30, 1846. I remain, &c., B. V. HOLY WELLS. To the Editors of the Archeologia Cambrensis. GENTLEMEN,-Having read in your work, an interesting article on Holy Wells by "Ab Ithel," which is responded to by "Elian," accompanied by invitations to pursue the subject, I beg to submit an account of a few wells, which, on enquiry, have come to my knowledge. St. Anthony's well, at Llanstephan in Carmarthenshire, in the hundred of Derllys, is walled with stone and mortar; and over it is a niche, where the figure of the saint is supposed to have been placed. In former times, it was in high repute for the curing of diseases. The church of Llanrhaiadr, in the vale of Clwyd, is dedicated to St. Dyfnog; and, at a short distance, is a well called "Flynnon Dyfnog," where was a chapel and bath, dedicated to St. Dyfnog. The well of St. Rhediw, his seat, the mark of his thumb, &c., are still to be seen at Llanllyfni, Caernarvonshire. Near the church of Llanhaiarn or Llan Elhaiarn, in the same county, is a fine well; once much frequented on account of its reputed sanctity. It is between Pwllheli and Clynnog. In the vicinity of Llanberis are many famous wells, but not noted for any particular impregnation. Such are-Ffynnon Cefn Arthur, Ffynnon Moel Rhiwen, Ffynnon Pen-y-gaer, and Ffynnon Frech. Not to mention the Ffynnon Vair noticed by Pennant, at the extreme point of Llyn, opposite Bardsey Island, there is a Ffynnon Sant, about a mile from Aberdaron, in that direction; and again at another mile's distance towards Pwllheli, close to the fine old house of Bodwrdda, is a holy well called Ffynon Ddurdan or Durdan. It seems to have been a beautifully poetic idea in our ancestors, to have placed their wells under the protection of their tutelar saints: the waters were not the less sweet for being blessed. The subject is worth enquiring into; and complete catalogues should be formed of all the holy wells in each county, with brief notices of the traditions connected with them, attached to the description of their sites. I remain, &c., Madryn Park, July 27, 1846. T. L. D. JONES PARRY. Miscellaneous Antiquarian Notices. TUDER PEDIGREE.-A correspondent requests us to obtain information for him concerning the pedigree of Catherine Tuder of Beren, descended from Marchyddin, one of the tribes of North Wales. Has he consulted the new edition of the Heraldic Visitation of Lewys Dwnn? BOTELER OR BUTLER FAMILY.-A correspondent wishes for information respecting a family named Boteler or Butler, once resident in South Wales, at Dunraven Castle in Glamorganshire, and at Coedcanlais, Johnston, and Sconeston, in Pembrokeshire, as to their pedigree and present descent, and whether allied to the noble family of that name in Ireland. one CROMLECH IN ANGLESEY.-A correspondent calls our attention to a fine remain of this kind in the parish of Llanidan. He says, "It is called the Perthu Cromlech; near Trefarthin or Brynshenkin; nine feet long, seven feet broad, and two feet eight inches deep. About twenty years ago, brass or copper chisels were found in digging under it, when it fell down, of which chisels was lately in the possession of Griffith Daniel, Twll-yclawdd, Llanidan; the others the Rev. Evan Lloyd, A.M., Rector of Aberffraw, purchased from the finders. There are still three upright stones under it. There is a tradition that a giant was buried near this Cromlech with his head towards the east, measuring, from my striding, twenty yards at least; a tolerably big fellow, I trow, for a Cymro. Perthu'- is it not from Aberthau - sacrifices?"" 6 COUNTY SURVEYS.-It gives us much pleasure to state that one of the most enlightened antiquaries and encouragers of archæology in Monmouthshire, has had drawings made of every church and chapel in that county, at his own expense. This good work was finished in May last; and, to shew that it is of value, four of the edifices alluded to have since been entirely taken down or nearly so. No memorial of them would now be in existence but for this survey. We hope to hear of similar doings in other counties. The survey is in progress for Caernarvonshire, but even there, it is impossible to keep pace with the rage for altering and destroying ancient buildings, which infests the county from one corner to the other. DESECRATION OF ABERDARON CHURCH, CAERNARVONSHIRE. The old church in this village, once of collegiate dignity, and a fine double-aisled monument of the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, was abandoned, without the slightest necessity, about three years since, and a new church, of the most atrociously barbarous and even ludicrous design, erected in another part of the parish in its stead, at a very heavy expense. Part of the old church is turned into a school; to the other the ordinary entrance is, at present, through a broken window. The humbler parishioners of this remote spot, regretting this needless desecration of a time-honoured edifice, and shewing better taste in this respect than their superiors, have determined on restoring the ancient building. A very small sum, not exceeding £60., is required for this purpose, so good is the condition of the church even after three years of neglect; and a subscription has been set on foot for this laudable purpose. The Editors of the Archæologia Cambrensis will be happy to receive contributions for their worthy friends in Lŷn, and to forward their views by all the means in their power. ABANDONMENT OF LLANDUDNO CHURCH, CAERNARVONSHIRE. - This building continues in the same neglected state, or rather is receiving fresh injury every day from the weather. The roof is now half gone, and in a short time the remainder will doubtless fall in. No real friend of the Church of England, who sails under Orme's Head, can avoid blushing at the conduct of the parochial and ecclesiastical authorities in allowing this state of things to continue. When parish churches are suffered to fall into ruin, cathedrals may begin to tremble. There is a new church built, it may be said, in another part of the parish, more convenient; very true, and perhaps a site may be found more convenient for an episcopal see than Bangor; if so, is Bangor Cathedral to be demolished as useless? COINS.-A number of silver coins, about thirty-six in all, have just been found in a peat bog at Pencarreg, near Lampeter. We have been favoured with an impression of one of them, which appears to be a shilling of Edward II., but the legend was too imperfect to be decyphered. The Academy of Inscription and Belles Letters, at Paris, has lately awarded its annual prize of 9000 francs (£360.) to M. Aurélien de Courson, for his work entitled Histoire de Peuples Bretons dans la Gaule et dans les îles Britanniques. Reviews. By GEORGE 1. ORIGINAL CHARTERS OF NEATH AND ITS ABBEY, &c. GRANT FRANCIS, F.S.A., &c. Vol. I., 8vo., Swansea, 1845. (Not published.) This work consists of a mass of curious and valuable papers relating not only to the Cistercian Abbey of Neath, but also to the castle and the town. We had heard of its compilation some time ago, and we had expected a complete and continuous history; but the learned author has preferred printing the "materials of the history" first, in the hope, we presume, of his having leisure at a future period to give the world a regular historical account. From the very form of the work it is not possible for us to present our readers with more than a cursory account of its contents; we wish we could refer them to the book itself; but unfortunately, as its title intimates, it is not published. It is privately printed, the number of copies is limited to fifty, and only the subscribers, with a few public libraries, possess the volume. To this we beg leave to take exception,-it is possible that we may be archæologically heterodox in holding such an opinion, but we do not approve of "privately printing" books. It is an act of exclusiveness, the utility of which we do not comprehend, just as in the same way the destroying of a valuable copper-plate, after a certain number of copies are taken, seems to us treason against the cause of art. At all events, the author has done wrong, we think, to limit the number to fifty; four times that number would have been easily distributed amongst the antiquarian public. We should inform our readers that this volume appears in all the luxury of superior paper, broad margins, stylish binding, and a profusion of wood engravings. Of the latter, through the courtesy of the author, we are enabled to give three favourable examples. The issuing of such a work from the local press of Swansea is highly creditable to the state of art and taste in that town, and the whole work may be considered a valuable acquisition to the history of South Wales. Effigy of Abbot Adam de Kermerdin in Ct. Herbert grounds. The charters of the abbey, the valuations of its possessions from the several authentic sources whence such documents are usually derivable, are here presented at full length. There are also documents connected with the town and castle of Neath, and a large body of very interesting papers relating to the burgesses, their privileges, trades, &c. Accurate plans, views of seals, sculptured remains, encaustic tiles, and heraldic devices, &c., convey to the reader a vivid representation of the originals. One of the papers is a translation of an ode by Lewis Morganwg to Lleision, abbot of Neath, circa A.D. 1500. We take from it the following extracts. The first is of value as giving a striking, though poetical, description of the appearance of the Abbey, &c. Like the sky of the vale of Ebron is the covering of this monastery: weighty is the lead that roofs this abode-the dark blue canopy of the dwellings of the godly. Every colour is seen in the crystal windows, every fair and high-wrought form beams forth through them like the rays of the sun.-Portals of radiant guardians! Pure and empyrial, here is every dignified language, and every well-skilled preceptor. Here are seen the graceful robes of prelates, here may be found gold and jewels, the tribute of the wealthy. Here also is the gold-adorned choir, the nave, the gilded tabernacle-work, the pinnacles, worthy of the Three Fountains. Distinctly may be seen on the glass, imperial arms; a ceiling resplendent with kingly bearings, and on the surrounding border the shields of princes; the arms of Neath, of a hundred ages; there is the |