The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

Cambrian Archaeological Associa- tion at Carmarthen. The sixteenth annual meeting of the Cam- brian Archaeological Association was held at Carmarthen this week. In connection with the visit a museum of objects of archaeological interest was held at the Assembly Rooms on Monday. Objects of interest were lent by the following:— The Mayor and Corporation: Minute books dating from 1568, as also maces and 6words of state. Sir John Williams, Bt.: Several rare vols. from the Llanstephan Library. These in- clude the SALISBURY Testament (1567), also Bishop Morgan's Bible (1588). Also King Charles L's Welsh Prayer Book, ornamented with the Royal Arms, and John Penry's exhortation to the Government on their duty to Wales. Mr T. W. Barker (Diocesan Registrar): Several volumes of Episcopal Acts. The OLDEST volume, 1399, is at present being transcribed by the Honorable Society of Cym- mrodorion. There were also several interest- ing documents including presentations to Crown livings, dating from the early part of the 17th Century. The impressions of the Great Seal of the various monarchy are well preserved. Mr Bairker had also a valuable private collection which included a copper coin of the Emperor Domitian, dug up in the Five Fields, and a silver coin of the Pla,nta- ganet period. There was also a Greek coin with a carrot root growing through a hole in it, as it was dug up last week by Mr Metcalf, in Francis terrace. Mr Barker also showed an advertisement of Queen Elizabeth's Gram- mar School in 1783, when his great grand- father the Rev W. H. Barker was head- master, as well as a fine collection of "bidd- ing lettors"a straightforward method OFF solicitiing wedding presents which has now fallen into disuse in Carmarthenshire—and a history of Banbadoes, 1666, Engliahed by J. Davies, Kidwelly. Two ostrich bones, carved by William Rees, a sailor on the battleship "Temenaire" (1816) were objects of great curiosity. The Tower of Baibel and other Biblical scenes had been labcgriouisly etched on the bones. Lady Hills-Johnes and Mrs Jones, Dolau- cofclii: This collection included a light gold chain about A yard long which was turned up by the plough in the neighbourhood of Dolau- ootthi in the 18th century. It is of Roman workmanship. A gold clasp found in the same field as the chain. The relic of Talley Abbey. This relic is a pendant of oval form and about four inches in length. It consists of a Maltese cross, carved in ivory, having within the centre a small medallion of the Crucifixion, and is contained in a case of silver and glass. It was brought from Talley Abbey at the time of the suppression along with the altar piece. The altar piece was sent to Hafod by John Jones, of Dolaucothi, and subsequently sold with the estate to the fourth Duke of Newcastle. The collection ailso included a monk's spoon, a snuff box made from the wood of the tree under which General Picton fell at Waterloo, a Saxon arrow-head found in the swamps near Rhydy- saieson, several stone celts and spindle whorls. Rev George Eyre Evans: Bits of glass and ancient keys dug up by him in the ruins of Strata Florida Abbey. Mr T. E. Brigs tocke: A collection of rare prints of old Carmarthen, books, manuscripts and a pre-Reformation tile from the Parish Church of St. Peters. Mr Walter Spurrell: A specimen of the counterfeit bank-note by Charles Bain, who was executed for forgery at Carmarthen in the year 1818. Also a reprieve sent by Geo. III. to Bain's mother and sister who were also condemned for forgery. Mr Spurrell also lent an effiigy dug up in Priory street at the entrance to the Old Priory. This is probably a sepulchral monument. Miss Edith Spurrell: A jug with portrait of John Jones, M.P., Ystrad. Miss Jessie Spurrell: An etching of Cwm- gwili bridge, by Mr D. Jones, Carmarthen. Mrs William Spurrell: A portmit of Bishop Ferrar, also two holy water stoups (?) dug up whilst excavating under Cloth Hall. These latter may be stone mortars. Mr D. Williams, Old Curiosity Shop: List of subscribers to the first Picton's monument at Oarmarthen; also three rare books. Mr Andrew Llewelyn: Several ancient coins. Ool. Gwynne-Hughes: Deed of David Gwynne, of Taliaris, dated 1718. Mr David Evans, F.G.S., St. Clears: Drawings of the "Pilgrims Stones" at Llan- fihangel-Abercowin. Photographs of the i-coently discovered stone steps at Aberyst- with Castle, taken while the work was in progress last May by the Rev George Eyre Evans. Mr A. S. GuUton: An Elizabethan deed. Mr A. U. Davies: An Elizabethan shilling found in the Old Priory. I Rev D. H. Davies (late Vicar of Cenarth) Two bronze vases found at Goginan, in Car- diganshire. A copy of a Welsh translation of Robinson Crusoe printed at Carmarthen in 1816. Mr Jolin Fira ncis: A copy of the tithes of Llandefeilog parish for the year 1816. Mns Olive, Boar's Head: A portrait en- graving of General Picton. A cash box in the form of a bundle of books used when riding on journeys in the stage coach days, once the property of Mary Roydderi. Mr R. Thompson, Fountain Hall: Engrav- i ings of Carregcenne-n, Llanstephan, and Kid- welly Castles. A volume of John Howard's Observations on prisons, wiith particulars of Carmarthen prison in the year 1774. Mr Ernest Collier: Roman tiles found when digging the foundations of Mr J. F. Morris's house on the East Parade, Carmar- then. Mr J. F. Morris: A Roman flue tile, with the impression of a dog's foot, found oh the East Parade, Carmarthen. The members of the Association were enter- tained at a conversazione at the Assembly- Rooms on Monday evening, by the Mayor and Mayoress of Carmarthen (Mr and Mrs H. E. Blia.gdon-R.iclia.rds). Songs were given by Mr and Mrs Gules, and instrumental music hva £ tlie tion to the town wliich they had previously visited in the year 1875, said that if there was one thing in which the inhabitants took pride it was the historical associations and status of the town. He had coane across a notice of Carmarthen in the year 1548. "The samo of Karmerthen ys A fay-re merkett towne having A fare haven and the ffarest towne m all Sou^h Wales and Of most scevillytie." He did not consider that that statement was at all exaggerated. He did not consider that there was in the principality a single town of its size which contained so many objects otf antiquarian interest. It had been said that if the old oak in Priory-street ever fell down, Carmarthen would be swallowed up by the encroachments of the sea. The belief in that legend was proved by the efforts which had been made to keep the tree up; and those who visited it mow would notice that all that stood between Carmarthen and destruction now were the stones and mortar an« I bands which held the -romains of the tree. Ardhdeacon Thomas said that those who were at the meeting at Oartmarthe vear 1875 would well remember the adxJiess delivered by Bishop Basil Jon«* then There were two objects in which he felt great interest in Oarmarthen—the Parish Church .and tlie Castle. The fonner wtas well kept; but he was sorry he could not say so much cf the Oastle. It would be a great predit to the town, if the visit of the Association woùI lead to a movement far removing toe «• sightly buildings in front of it and diqnayi*S the fine gateway. He had much pleasure m vacating the chair in favour of Sir JoJUj Williams, who had shown by his afahty skill what a Welshman could do by torn He had raised himself to a P«»taon they very muoh envied. Now tieaifc tie BW reached the top of the ladder, be had ootne t» live amongst, them, and to give full rent W that love of Wales and its literature for which he is famous. Sir John Williams then delivered inaugural address, dealing with the hiamy of Llaastephan Castle. j At the close, a. vote of thanks Vtt ttf^Kr John Williams, on the proMl W Jianves Hillie-Johnes, seconded by Mi A. IL Gulistom. On Tuesday, the Association had A &ive to Ll»nstoph«n and to Lhmtiwagel-AferMem to view objects of interest. > The Association on these trips only viafc objects which have been discovered and described already. On Tuesday evening a public meeting was held at the Assembly Rooms, Oarmarthen. Professor Lloyd, of Bangor, was unable to be present, but his paper on "Carmarthen in Norman Times" was read by the secretary* the Rev T. Ohidlow. The paper dealt with that obscure portion of the history of Car- marthen between the Roman occupation and the revolt of Owen and Cadwaltedr, the eons of Owen Gwynedd in 1177. The author of the paper identified Carmartbein with "Lian- teilyddog," one of the Bishops' Houses men- tc tioned in the laws of Howel Da and other early records. "Teilyddog" was one of the disciples of St. Teilo, and "Llanteilyddog" monastery of the primitive Welsh type gradu- ally changing into a group of secular clergy. Rhydygome was a castle of the "mote and bailey" type as early as the reign of Winiam Rufus (1094). During a rising shortly after* wards Rhydygorse was captured by the Wefcfa and Fitzbaldwin, the governor had to return to Devonshire. In 1109, Robert of Gloucester founded at Carmarthen a stronghold of a -Isrter type, and no more is heard of gorwe. After this date there was p&enty cf evidence that Carmarthen was a centre of royal administration for South Wales, At this time arose the distinction between old and new Cammnrtheu which existed unta quite recently. New Carmarthen was a royal Borough with a obiftger from King Jafcn, whilst old Carmarthen remained an ecclesi- astical preseawe under the protection of the vemeraible and mysterious Teilyddog. St. Peter's Church wa.% built about 1120. la 1115, Bernard, the first Norman bishop of St. David's was appointed as a. step toward* sub- jecting the Wolsh Church to the Norman power. Same records were quoted of Coir- mairthen in the 12th century, showing theft a knight was owing twenty shillings for having killed a Fleming, and another Carmarthen had to pay 7 marks for carrying off another's daughter by force. Carmarthen had in the 12th century become a. religious military gad administ.rative centre for South Wales. Mr Lleufer Thomas said that the paper was a valiu-able contribution to an obscure period of the history of Carinaxthen. Rev Griffith Thomas raised a discussion OH the point whether the burgesses of Carmar- then had sworn fealty to William the C40. [jueror. Professor Anwyl said that the IhiconUi was not then constituted, and there were DO burgesses as such. Mr T. E. Brigstocke commented on the fact that the Roman remains were nMStly found in the "old town"—the eastern portion of the Borough. Archdeacon Thomas quoted a passage faem "Ginaldus Cam-brensis which he translated "The ancient city is enclosed with walls of brack." This showed that even in the time of Giraldus there were remains of the Roman occupation. 8 Mr Donne Bushell delivered AN interesting lecture on the astronomical method of determining the age of the stone circles. Certain lines-dearly pointed to the points where the sun rose on Midsummer Day, and at the equinoxes, and sometimes on the first day of May or thereabouts, THE beginning of the farmer's year. Other lines, he believed, were laid down to mark the points where cer- tain prominent stars P-rose-there being used probaibly as "warning stars," as they rose A short time before the sun ;and thus gaTe warning to prepare for the sacrifice. How- ever the points at which the stars rose varied slightly from year to year, but perceptibly from generation to genera,tion so that the grandson of the man who laid down the stones would not find these stellar lines answer thuir purpose. This fact which an- noyed the megalithie builders assisted UB. It was now a matter of calculation to find out when these lines had pointed to conspicuous -stars. The speaker gave particulars of thia method which he had applied to a stone oirole on the Precelly mountain, near Crym- inych Anns. He found some lines poii.ting to the rising of the sun on certain d's, but the other lines had no meaning now. One line he found to mark the rising of prominent stars about t'he time of the beginning of the Christian era, also in the ninth century B.C., and about 1040 B.C. At the latter date the line marke dthe rising of two important stars —A retu rns and Capella. Another line HE found to mark the rising Of the most pro- minent star in Andromeda also in the 11th century before the birth of Christ. From this coincidence he concluded that that represented the date at which the stones were eirected. On W ednesday the party had a trip to the nei ghbourhood of Llanddowror. Thunda, morning was devoted to the Borough of Car- marthen and Thursday aitetruoon to Ferry. side and Kidwelly.

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