MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

CAERMARTHEnshire SherIFFS.-A list of the Caermarthenshire Sheriffs will appear in our pages from time to time, until completed, with pedigrees, notes, and biographical notices, from unpublished MSS., by Joseph Joseph, Esq., F.S.A., Brecon. It is intended to publish the work in a separate form, with additions, price 5s. Gentlemen who have served the office themselves, or whose ancestors may have done so, are requested to send their pedigrees, in order to make the work as complete as possible.

Mr. Charles Roach Smith, the eminent antiquary, pronounces the ancient relic recently found in the progress of draining operations on Lord Palmerston's estate, near Romsey, to be "a Celtic torques, of a type in some respects different from most of those found in France and Great Britain. In Brittany, some years since, a great many were dug up, and, as has often been the case, were sold for their weight of metal smelted! They had been offered for about the value of the gold to the Society of Antiquaries of London. I trust this will not be thus sacrificed." The relic has been photographed by Mr. Frost.-The Critic, Dec. 29, 1860.

DRUIDICAL REMAINS.-"A curious discovery," says the Echo du Nord, "was made near Lille, by the workmen engaged in cutting trenches for the new fortifications. In removing the soil, they laid bare a stone tumulus, which, instead of bones, contained a large block of stone, covered with inscriptions, indicating that it was an altar used by the Druids in their sacrifices. The names Hesus and Teutates, gods adored by the Gauls, are perfectly legible on it. Near the stone a sacred golden knife, used by the Druids for cutting the misletoe, was also found. The inscriptions on this stone corroborate the fact already known, that human sacrifices were made by the Druids in times of national calamity. The knife has been placed in the museum of Lille."

CAERWENT AND CAERLEON.-Mr. J. E. Lee, the Author of the interesting Delineations of Roman Antiquities at Caerleon, sent to a late Meeting of the Archæological Institute the following communication, accompanied with etchings of a square tile from Caerwent, and an incised stone from Caerleon:-"The tile is of the common square form, so much used by the Romans, and the only peculiarity is that it bears the name of some individual four times: it is, in fact, covered by the scribbling, while the clay was yet moist, of some idle Roman, when sauntering over the brickyard. The interest attaching to it arises from its being probably a very fair specimen of what may be called the cursive hand of the British Romans. The name Belicianus (with a single 1), occurs on one of the tombstones from

Bulmore, near Caerleon, and may possibly refer to the same individual. The letters upon the tile appear to have been formed by a metal or wooden stylus, with the extreme point cut off. The incised stone (it is rather too thick to be called a slab), from Caerleon, has been discovered some time, but has never before been published. The figure, which is represented riding on a dolphin, appears to be that of a female, but whether it is so, or it is intended for Cupid, who, it is well-known, is frequently thus drawn on gems, and, I believe, also in sculpture, I will not venture to decide. The forms of both the rider and the fish are not badly drawn, though the body of the former seems rather corpulent. The stone is not carved; the figures are merely in outline, rather deeply incised."

GOLD IN WALES.-The public have from time to time been startled by accounts of small quantities of gold being found in various parts of the Merionethshire mountain ranges. Very little notice, however, has been excited by these accounts; people, in general, appearing to be sceptical about the possibility of the precious metal being found in sufficient quantities so near home as to pay for the trouble and expense of obtaining it; in fact, we remember to have read distinct assertions to this effect by a gentleman of scientific reputation, though why it should be so we never could understand. Why should gold be peculiar to Australia, Peru, or California, any more than coal, or iron, or copper, to Great Britain? We know that these latter are daily being discovered in places where it was supposed they could not exist; why then might it not be the same with gold? The facts (and we have taken some trouble to inquire into the truth) which we are about to state will tend considerably to rebut the truth of these disparaging assertions, and uphold the credit of Merionethshire as a gold producing county. The spot we are about to mention is situated about four miles from the town of Barmouth. In this place there is a copper mine called the Vigra and Clogan, which has for some time been producing large quantities of copper ore-it was, in fact, one of the very few mines in the locality which was really worth working. A few months since, the men while at work came upon some strange ore which they had not before met with, and which turned out to be a quartz rock. One of the proprietors of the mine took some of this to London, and on being analyzed, it was found to be gold ore in an uncommonly pure state. During one week, lately, 54oz. were sent of the crucible, and we are informed that in a fortnight there were upwards of 20lbs. secured. Since then the amount extracted has been considerably on the increase, so that there is every prospect of its being a really rich mine.

ERRATUM.-At p. 311, line 9 of the Letter, before the words "tenoned and morticed," read, "if they were."

REVIEWS.

TENBY: ITS HISTORY, ANTIQUITIES, SCENERY, TRADITIONS, AND CUSTOMS. By Mr. and Mrs. S. C. HALL. Tenby: R. Mason.

There is scarcely a place of note in the Principality at the present time without its guide-book. We are glad of this; for, though works of that kind are not all of equal merit, yet they are, in their several degrees, contributions to the general history of our country, which has yet to be written. The little volume before us, on "fair and fashionable" Tenby, may claim a respectable position among such productions as are designed to be guides to tourists. Though but small, it is full of varied information-agreeably written, and most profusely illustrated. Indeed, in this last respect, it transcends all its predecessors, and exhibits a character which cannot fail to render it popular. We subjoin a few specimens of the work. The following is a description of St Govan's Chapel :

"Close by, perched across a fissure in the side of the cliffs, and unseen from above, is the far-famed Chapel of St. Govan. A long flight of steps, well worn, and, as yet,

'Counted by none both ways alike,'

conducts to it. It is a small, rude building, with an arched roof, and has on

either side a stone bench cushioned with withered sods. In the east wall a door-way admits into a cleft of the rock, in which is a marvellous crevice, 'that enables the largest person to turn round therein, and is at the same time quite filled by the smallest.' It is used as a wishing place;' and the legend asserts that all who turn round therein, and steadfastly cling to the same wish during the operation, will most certainly obtain their wish before the expiration of the year: the smooth and glassy face of the rock testifies to its frequent use. No doubt some 'holy' anchorite, 'mistaking his road to heaven,' here made himself miserable in life, and here, in after years, when a peculiar sanctity was attached to the scene of his self-sacrifice, came many pilgrims with minds or bodies diseased, trusting in the virtues of stones the saint had trodden, and water of which he had drank; often, no doubt, obtaining cures,' the consequence of faith. Tradition gives this cavity a singular history. Our Lord-so runs the tale pursued by the Jews, sought safety in this neighbourhood. Passing through a field where men were sowing barley, he ordered them at once to go for their reaping-hooks, and, if any passed that way and inquired after him, to say they had seen such an one, but that it was in sowing time. The men, although they knew not who it was, did as they were bid, fetched their hooks, and lo! on their return, the field was waving with ripe corn. Whilst engaged in the reaping, a band of men accosted them, as was expected, who, having received the appointed answer, gave up the chase in despair. The Lord meanwhile had been concealed in this crevice, which had opened to receive him, and still bears a faint impression of his person. The little chapel has a bell-gable, but it has been denuded of its bell, for, according to the same authority, once upon a time a sacrilegious pirate heard its silvery tones, and despoiled the sanctuary of its treasure; but God's vengeance overtook him, for no sooner had he embarked with his theft than a violent storm arose, in which he and his polluted band perished. A substitute, also, was provided for the loss in a large stone, which ever since, when struck, rings out the same note as the missing bell. To reach the shore we pass the sainted well, said to be a sure and certain cure for all the ills that flesh is heir to,' and having picked our way over and between immense stones, we arrive on the ledge of rocks that, at low water, runs round the base of the overhanging cliffs. The whole scene here is wonderfully grand: though we may be alone, there is no solitude, for there seems a Presence that fills the whole place, and, amidst these caverns and frowning precipices, we feel our own insignificance.'

Here is a brief account of some curious customs that prevailed at Tenby in former times :

"The tourist visiting Tenby at the close of the year, formerly would have been told by throngs, with lighted torches, and making music out of cowhorns, that Christmas comes but once a year.' On St. Setphen's day he would have encountered crowds employed in the gentle pastime of beating all passers-by with holly-bushes. On New Year's-morn he might have been (and may still be) greeted by boys and girls who sprinkle all they met, with 'new year's water,' and wish them a 'happy new year;' for which good service they levy contributious, singing as they go

'Here we bring new water from the well so clear,

For to worship God with, this happy new year.'

On Twelfth Night he would encounter other crowds, bearing bowls of a liquor less pure, chanting an ancient ballad

"Taste our jolly wassail bowl,

Made of cake, apple, ale, and spice!'

If he chanced to be there on Shrove Tuesday, he might see the shopkeepers hurriedly putting up their shutters, mothers dragging their children within doors, and quiet females hastening home-not without reason it would seem; for shortly afterwards would be heard a frightful din and tumult, not unlike the war whoop of wild Indians, caused by the mustered forces of the 'brave boys,' and girls too, of Tenby, who are engaged in driving on the football through the streets! On Good Friday many old people walked barefoot to church. Easter Monday was a great day of fun, and Whit Monday a day still more jovial; for clubs with bands, and banners decked with flowers, formed processions to visit church, and, in the evening, danced the old and

honoured dance, Sir Roger de Coverley.' On May-eve, the King and Queen of May, tricked out with flowers, paraded the town, and demanded from all candles, or money wherewith to buy-used at night in illuminating the Maybush, round which dancing was kept up whilst the lights lasted, and then an immense bonfire of furze was lighted, on which the bush was burned. AllHallows-eve is, of course, a grand festival in Tenby, as it is everywhere."

Our last extract shall be a "story of a spirit-funeral," which will, we doubt not, be read with avidity, not only by our juvenile friends, but others of a larger growth, who are interested in the marvellous and supernatural.

"Some years ago, the then occupier of Holloway Farm had a pretty servant girl, with whom the 'man' of the rector of Penally fell in love: he used to