Welsh Journals

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LOCAL ANTIQUITIES. There is in most parts of Wales, we may even venture to say in all parts of Wales, much curious information respecting days gone by, which has not been chronicled. The language of a district, whether it be Welsh, or English, its provincialisms, and even the intonation, the accent and pronunciation, often convey scraps of history of bye-gone days. The legends, the folk-lore, the proverbs, the sayings, are often not only interesting in themselves, but when scientifically studied, throw considerable light on the origin of the people among whom such matters are current. The manners and customs of a people, strange and uncouth, and unmeaning though they may seem to be, give us an insight into the state of society in the early stages of civilization. Researches in the direction now indicated cannot fail to produce results of a highly interesting and satisfactory kind. Many an old man, and aged woman, in the neighbour¬ hood of Ruthin, and elsewhere in the principality, is the repository of treasures of the kind above referred to, and it would be well if their knowledge were transferred to the pages of a periodical, where it could be referred to, and if any pupil in his Wanderings on holidays should be fortunate enough to discover a treasure in the shape of a local story, a strange expression, or superstition, we shall be glad to give it a place and a home in our Magazine. But in addition to the above, there are many historic spots Well worth description. Much has already been done in this direction, but the subject has not, by any means, been exhausted. Along our hill sides are traces of circular abodes, and on our hill tops are to be seen the remains of ancient fortifications, that were erected anterior to the Roman occupation of Britain. A careful survey of these ovoidal huts, and circular camps, and a description of whatever is found within them, will be most d M0 the historian. There are on the hills, between Ruthin and Mold, many such remains, and even on the west side of the Vale on the uncultivated parts of the mountains are to be seen vestiges of abodes, that were occupied two thousand years ago, and even in a more remote period. There are also here and inereafew pillar stones still erect that belong to the Celio Period. All surface remains in the shape of domestic abodes of prehistoric remains, all burial places, either in the form of cist T3™> or# carneddi, or erect stones, are worth careful inspection, nere is at least one stone in these parts with an ogham Jjscnption on it. At present it stands in the front of Pool Park, 1 lts 0«ginal site, was on the hill top, to the west of this seat.