bining in itself so much unadorned simplicity, that it becomes a practical model of utilitarian perfectability. He has also forgotten to notice that extremely appropriate arch which Mr. Stephenson, in conformity with the taste displayed in all his architectural efforts, has placed at the point where the railroad intersects those useless old walls, and which so completely and entirely differs from the style of architecture in which the castle and walls were originally built, that we can only regret such a happy conglomeration of all sorts of architecture should be thrown away and lost in so uninteresting a spot.

I cannot, however, close this letter without expressing my gratitude to the corporation and other authorities of Beaumaris for their great exertions in the cause of improvement, and especially for the judgment and ability with which they have hidden that antique deformity, Beaumaris Castle, from the gaze of the gentlemen from Manchester and Liverpool, (who may happen to arrive by steam-boats,) by the interpolation of those highly elegant rows of buildings, the one, I believe, erected under the tasteful auspices of Messrs. Handson and Welsh, and the other under that of the more humble, though not less ingenious, architecture of Robert Jones. I hear, moreover, that it is in contemplation to whitewash that part of the castle looking towards the sea, which will give it a highly interesting and amended appearance. I cannot, however, avoid suggesting what I conceive would add most materially to its interest and attraction in the eyes of those whose familiarity with these objects would at once make the locality a home to them-I mean the erection of a long brick chimney rising from the centre of the castle-yard; and, by a subterranean communication with the drainage of the town, at once answer the purpose of the sanatory commissioners, and rejoice the vision of the Manchester visitors.

July 6th, 1850.

I am, &c.,

CORYDON CYMRU.

To the Editors of the Archæologia Cambrensis. GENTLEMEN,-In looking at the account of Cwmhir Abbey, I see that the author has left out the last male heir of that property. His name was Thomas Hodges, and he was son of Colonel Thomas Hodges, and brother to Sarah, who married Colonel George Hastings. They never had the property, though the account in your Journal certifies they did. Thomas Hodges was abroad at the time of his mother's death, and had been so for some years, from what I have heard him say himself; but, on hearing of her death, he came to England and claimed the

property, which he enjoyed for about five-and-twenty years. He
married, late in life, a Mrs. Lowe, by whom he had one daughter,
who could not inherit the property as it went to the male heir,
who was his nephew, Hance F. Hastings, Esq. This gentleman
sold his uncle's life interest in the estates long before he died, to
pay the expenses of getting the Earldom of Huntingdon. Thomas
Hodges, on claiming the abbey property, took the name of
Fowler; he was a captain in the Radnor Militia for some
years, and died at his wife's estate in Shropshire, called Court
of Hill, in 1820. His widow is still living, and, I believe, has
something yearly out of an estate called by the name of Cefn
Pwll. What I have now communicated I think you will find
correct, for I lived with the said Thomas Hodges Fowler twenty-
one years at the Abbey and Court of Hill. I knew his sister
perfectly well; she had two daughters and one son-H. F. Has-
tings, who was in the navy some years. Having been so many
years in the family, I feel a little interest in the name of Fowler,
and I hope you will give these remarks a place in your pages.
I am, &c.,

Hopton Wafers, Shropshire,

July 7, 1850.

ROBERT DAWSON.

To the Editors of the Archæologia Cambrensis.

GENTLEMEN,-At the first Annual Meeting of the Association, held at Aberystwith, an elaborate paper was read on some interesting sculptured characters discovered in the church of Llanvair Waterdine. I should feel obliged by being informed, through your pages, if any progress has since been made in determining the precise meaning of the characters alluded to. A short time since a friend of mine made a pilgrimage to the church in question, but could not meet with that portion of the rood-screen containing the sculpture. He was informed that it was in the custody of some of the church officials; but, for evident reasons, this should by no means be allowed. I remain, &c.,

August, 1850.

SILURIUS.

To the Editors of the Archæologia Cambrensis. GENTLEMEN,-The late Mr. Edward Williams, the well known Iolo Morganwg, in a conversation with a relation of mine, said, that the whole tradition about Brutus originated in the wild imagination of Geoffry of Monmouth, or rather "in his con

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founded falsehoods" (Iolo's own words) to ennoble the Cymry; and that no Welsh bard prior to his time ever mentions anything of the kind. The Roman-Britons (he added) might have had such a tradition among themselves; but it had no reference to the Cymry.

Iolo further observed, that Gâl, Gwâl, Prydain, Peithyw, (compare with the Latin Pateo), Gwynedd, Gwent, Syllwg, all imply fair regions. Y Vel Ynys, he said, was the Isle of Apollo. [Bel-Belin, Apollo.] Clas Merddin, he translated, Water-girt region. Merddin, Hysperus. Prydain, Beautiful.

I remain, &c.,

BALAON.

To the Editors of the Archæologia Cambrensis.

GENTLEMEN, In reply to J. M. T.'s inquiry in your Number for July last, p. 230, I beg leave to say that the translation to which he refers was mine. Browne Willis left the Archbishop's circular untranslated. The Latin, as well as the translation, was sent for insertion in the Archeologia Cambrensis; but the Latin was omitted, as you are aware, for want of room. In a recent publication entitled "BEDD GWR Duw," a sermon preached in Abergwili Church before the Bishop of St. David's, on the occasion of placing a mural monument to the memory of Bishop Richard Davies, temp. Elizabeth, I find the circular referred to above translated into Welsh. It was at a friend's house that I saw Browne Willis' "Survey;" and I cannot tell this minute the date of the edition.

I remain, &c.,

BALAON.

DENBIGH CASTLE.

To the Editors of the Archæologia Cambrensis. GENTLEMEN,-Could you, or some of your readers, inform me to whom the castle of Denbigh belongs? It is at present in a most disgraceful condition, and an answer to my query may open a way to its rescue. I have reason to believe that Mr. Salvin has authority from the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to do such necessary repairs to all the castles belonging to the Crown, in Wales, as will preserve them from further dilapidation. Does the castle of Denbigh come within the scope of this authority? Does it really belong to the Lordship of Denbigh ? If so, is Mr. Salvin aware of it? small sum, comparatively, would secure to the inhabitants of

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Denbigh the fine old gateway, a relic they well may be proud of, which must, ere long, otherwise yield to the rude blast, and be for ever lost to those from whom it now, with each returning summer, draws forth well deserved admiration and respect.

Denbigh, September, 1850.

I am, &c.,

W. WYNNE FFOULKES,

Loc. Sec. Denbighshire.

Miscellaneous Latices.

REMARKS ON THE ARCHITECTURE OF LLANDaff Cathedral. -The reprint of this elaborate article, with considerable additions, so as to make it a new and complete work upon the Cathedral of Llandaff, is now published. It constitutes the most complete scientific account of the architecture of any of the Welsh cathedrals hitherto published, and will sustain the reputation of the author of the "History of Architecture." We shall look forward with impatience to the "History of St. David's," now in process of compilation, by Mr. Basil Jones, and Mr. Freeman. A member of the Cambrian Archæological Association has it in contemplation to publish either similar accounts of the architecture of Bangor and St. Asaph's, or else new editions, with supplementary notices, of the works of Browne Willis upon these edifices. Neither of the North Welsh cathedrals, however, rank so high in architectural excellence, as some parish churches in other parts of the Principality,-a circumstance not very honourable for those dioceses.

CAERPHILLY CASTLE.-The Rev. H. H. Knight in a paper, communicated to the Neath Philosophical Society, "On the retreat of Edward the Second," observes as follows:-" We learn from the Records, that King Edward II. was there (at Caerphilly), on the 29th and 30th October, 1326. The king is next read of as being at Margam on the 4th, and at Neath on the 5th, of November. His capture took place on Sunday, the 16th of November, probably as the king was attempting to regain a safe asylum at Caerphilly Castle, so resolutely defended by Hugh Despencer, the grandson."

ARCHEOLOGICAL MOVEMENT IN BRECON.-We understand that the churchwardens and parishioners of St. John's Priory Church, in Brecon, have determined upon repairing portions of that edifice; and also upon taking down the north porch of the nave, because it is in bad repair, and is too expensive to

rebuild!!! One of the new Ecclesiastical Commissioners is shortly expected in Brecon to inspect the old Collegiate Church; but whether it will be ordered to be taken down, or will be sold for building purposes, is not yet known.

COLLEGIATE CHURCH, BRECON.-In reference to the letter which appeared on this subject in our last Number, p. 224, a Correspondent thus writes:-"We have been much slandered with respect to the bad state of the church in Christ College; the fact is, the funds, which are by deed settled to be applied in repair of the fabric, are received by different ecclesiastical corporations, whom it is impossible to force to account. It has lately been roofed, and the stalls repaired sufficiently to effectually arrest decay, by private subscription, at considerable expense. For the last four years the attention of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the Attorney-General have been directed to it, but the matter is involved in a labyrinth of legal difficulties. I hope the Association will think it worth while to inspect it before it is handed over to the limbo of Chancery."

SKETTY, GLAMORGAN.-A new church, of admirable design, in the style of the fourteenth century, is now erecting in the newly formed district of Sketty, parish of Swansey. It possesses a beautifully-proportioned spire, and is built on a rising ground, amid trees, in one of the loveliest situations of that lovely county. It is due to the liberality and patriotism of Mr. Vivian, of Singleton, who is also going to endow it; and it adds another claim to the many that gentleman already possesses on the gratitude of all true Welshmen. We do not know who the architect is, but we envy him his designs.

GWEN'S TOMB.-We regret exceedingly that want of room has compelled us to leave out of our present Number the interesting paper which Mr. Wynne Ffoulkes has furnished us, on the opening of a tumulus, supposed to be the burial place of one of Llywarch Hen's sons. It shall positively appear in our next.

DINAS CORTIN.-It occurred to us after our visit to this camp, that, perhaps, its proper appellation was "Dinas Gorddin" (the fort of the rear), in reference to the stronger position of "Craig y ddinas," where we presume the vanguard to have been posted. "Mi ydwyf llew rhag llu, lluch fy ngorddin."

We are glad to learn that it is in contemplation to publish a complete edition of the poetical works of the late David Richards, Esq., (Dafydd Ionwar). The work will be introduced to the public through the hands of the learned and experienced Mr. Morris Williams. There is perhaps no bard, ancient or modern, who has stronger claims to the homage of all classes of his countrymen than the great and good Dafydd Ionwar.