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WELSH NOTES FROM " NOTES AND…

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WELSH NOTES FROM NOTES AND QUERIES. "-(13.) TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—Whatever galoshes may mean now, they once meant Gaulish (shoes), and not, as one with an over-press of imagination said, Goliath's (shoes). The Romans readily received into use Gallic shoes, several kinds of Gallic cars, and commemorated the event of receiving a Celtic basket by enshrining its name in their language. On a tombstone in St. Anne's, Soho. it is recorded that the most noted act of David Williams' life was the formation of "The Literary Fund." He was born near Cardigan, in the year 1738, and died in 1816. He was educated at Carmarthen, and afterwards officiated as a dissenting minister in different parts of England. Whilst at Chelsea, he is said to have given shelter to Benjamin Franklin in a time of political persecution. In 1776 he pub- lished his Liturgy, which is a form of worship wholly independent of Revelation; and it is be- lieved that Franklin assisted him in its compila- tion. Although often pressed for want of funds, he saysI bad no relish for the expedient of ty- ing myself to a disagreeable woman for the sake of her fortune." Where and when was this ? E. L. Blenkinsopp remembers that he read of an Englishman who went into a church in Wales, where, during the sermon, whenever the devil was named the people spat, as expressing abhorrence. Paxton Hood, in his book on Christmas Evans," gives an account of the Sin-Eater, a superstition which is said "to linger even now in the secluded vale of Cwm-Aman, in Carmarthenshire." The dis- trict has (or better, perhaps, had) a Sin-Eater, who, on the death of a person, was sent for, and be, on his arrival, placed a plate of salt and bread on the breast of the deceased. He then uttered an in- cantation over the plate, and afterwards proceeded to eat the bread, and this done, he was supposed to have eaten the sins of the dead person. After re- ceiving a fee of two-and-sixpence for his services, be hurriedly departed, aided by the cuffs and kicks of those in the house. This curious custom was for- merly observed in Yorkshire and elsewhere. To the English people of former times, the ex- pression "John Harris" would mean "John, the son of Harry," and thus we may render John Harrison" as meaning (if any meaning is meant) "John the son of the son of Harry." "John Parrison" would fare worse-for be would be "John the son (ap) of Harry the &on of Harry," thus doubling, as it were, the certainty as to who he is." Those who feel honoured in possessing the family name of "Devereux," can prove its ancientry by referring to the parish of St. Devereux iit. Hereford- shire, and the Norman appearance of the name must enhance its value to them. But there may be "Norman plaster" as well as plaster of Paris for it appears that Devereux" is only the Norman plaster on the old Welsh name Dyfrig." Does not this enhance the honour? H>

CAPTAIN HOWELL AND THE CENTRAL…

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f'———————; COMMERCIAL FAILURES.

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CHESS.

" WHO KNOWS ? "

THE GALE.

THE JEWISH DAY OF ATONEMENT.