Welsh Journals

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440 neighbourhood of Sandbach will give his attentiou to these Crosses, with the view to a Paper upon the subject at an early period. At the close of the evening's proceedings, the Rev. Canon Blomfield expressed to Mr. Cumraing the thanks of the Society for his very able and instructive addresses ; and we trust that the anticipations of another similar visit from the learned lecturer will soon be realized. The monthly meeting was held at the City Library, on Monday, March 5th, the Rev. J. Williams (Duke-street) in the chair. Mr. T. Hughes read a paper " On the Inns and Taverns of Chester" in the olden time, confining himself at present to those on the north side of the city. He had been allowed access to the books of the Innkeepers' Company, containing special contributions to the Whitsun and other civic pageants once annually performed in the streets of the ancient city. Some of the entries read were most curious and interesting; but as the paper itself may possibly appear in the next volume of the Journal, we refrain from anticipatory extracts here. Commencing from the Cross, Mr. Hughes then proceeded on his anti¬ quarian tour of the Taverns in Northgate-street, and the streets adjoining. Where the City Library now stands was previously an ancient Tavern, called the " Three Crowns;" the origin of which sign was satisfactorily explained. The "Legs of Man," with its curious old kitchen, and open gallery, and the derivation of the sign from the ancieut arms of the Isle of Man, next engaged attention. Then came the ecclesiastical sign of the "Cross Keys," on the confines of St. Werburgh's Abbey; and the " Cross Foxes," the crest, as the house itself was once the property, of the Williams Wynns, of Wynnstay. The " White Lion," a celebrated hotel in the old stage coach days, received its share of attention; as did also the " Saracen's Head," " Coach and Horses," &c, some tale or legend accompanying the description of each of these houses. The " Pied Bull," an ancient hostelry, was clearly traced to be the same with the " Bull tenement," named in the deed of 1533, from the Prioress of St. Mary's Nunnery; of which document a transcript is given at page 145 of our present Volume. The " Bull and Stirrup" was one of those signs which almost defied explanation, and might be ranked with " The Pig and Whistle," " Goat and Compasses," and " The Devil and Bag of Nails"—all well known, but ridiculously absurd corruptions. Most likely " The Bull and Stirrup" was a corruption of " The Boivl and Stirrup,"—the " stirrup cup," or " last glass," being a term still in use among the votaries of Bacchus. The house and brewery of Mr. Peter Eaton, our present Mayor, was formerly the principal hotel of Chester, " The Golden Falcon," and the scene of many anecdotes characteristic of the times related by Mr. Hughes. The old buildings he described were illustrated by several bold and able sketches from the pencil