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to prevent injury to the lambs reared on the height, filled up again. But the N.-E. entrance, with its guard-chambers and gatepost holes, were re-opened for inspection by Members of the Association. He pointed out the excellent dry masonry of the walls, and the configuration of the rampart left and right, as in the illustrations (Arch. Camb., 1910). Clearly at one time here was a

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very strongly fortified refuge, but no trace of a habitation was to be found within it. All the evidence of occupation so far discovered was that of the refuse heaps. These lay near the N.E. entrance, just beyond the gate of timber balks placed one above the other in the slots pointed out. It was natural that the sentinels should throw their scraps there.

An interesting discussion took place about the entrances and the

method of closing them on emergency. Rev. Eyre Evans men

tioned a similar construction at Carn Goch. Mr. Gardner conducted the party to the highest eminence, from which a magnificent outlook was obtained over the valley of the Dulas and its tributaries, and he explained the relation of the fortification on Pen y Corddyn to the series of ancient fortresses on the neighbouring hill-tops.

Castell Cawr, a wooded hill, 600 ft. high, was next visited. On all sides, especially on the N.E. face, the approach is difficult, and the summit was consequently a position of great strength. It was also defended by a huge rampart of stone, ditch, and outworks, but the trees and undergrowth made the exact nature of the fortifications difficult of examination. Mr. John Inglis, Lady Dundonald's agent, acted as guide through the dense wood. One of the party, an honoured Local Secretary from South Wales, had an awkward fall on the precipitous slopes, and another Member had the misfortune to get lost in the wood.

The main entrance is about the middle of the W. side. The ancient name of this hill-fort was apparently Din hengryn.

Ffos y Bleiddiaid (Ditch of the Wolves), locally called Ffos y Rhufeiniaid, which was next visited, is a remarkable chasm across the N. end of Castell Cawr Hill. This chasm is about 1000 ft. long, and extends from the surface at a height of 450 ft. to a great depth. It is, in fact, an old lead mine. About 1780 there was a renewal of mining activity in this district, and a level driven into the Ffos led to the discovery that the vein had been largely exploited by ancient workings dating back to the Roman occupation. In some of these workings "curious hammers and other tools, almost decayed to dust, with the golden hilt of a Roman sword," are recorded to have been dug up.

EVENING MEETING.

A large gathering of Members and of the principal residents of the district assembled at 8.30 in the Church House for the installation of the President-Elect and the reception of the Association by the Abergele Urban District Council.

Amongst those present were the Countess of Dundonald, the Bishop of St. Asaph, Sir J. Herbert Roberts, Bart., Mr. H. E. Prichard (Chairman of the Urban Council), Canon Jones (Vicar of Abergele), together with the Members and Officials of the Urban Council.

Archdeacon Thomas, who presided, said he had in the first place to express great regret at the absence of the retiring President, who was unfortunately prevented from being with them. The speaker recalled the retiring President's thoughtful and comprehensive address last year, and the genial and active interest he had taken

6TH SER. VOL. XII.

9

in the Excursions. It was his (the Archdeacon's) pleasure and privilege to place his successor in his seat. It had been his good fortune to see many excellent occupants of the chair, for his memory carried him back to Bishop Thirlwall, Bishop Basil Jones, Freeman, and a host of others. They were also pleased that they had with them that day such a renowned scholar as Professor Sayce. The position of President was the highest honour they could bestow on one of their Members, and he felt perfectly certain that his old friend-and such he had the privilege to call him after fifty years' acquaintance would admirably fill the chair, and well maintain its reputation. The name of Professor Boyd Dawkins was so well known to all scholars and archæologists, as well as to many others who did not come under either heading, that no further introduction was necessary. He had pleasure in asking Professor William Boyd Dawkins to take the chair.

Professor Boyd Dawkins, who was received with a round of applause, said he felt greatly the honour they had conferred on him in requesting him to occupy that chair. He appreciated the honour of succeeding in the chair of the Association a long line of illustrious Presidents who had enlarged the boundaries of history, topography, and architecture, and had thrown light on the darkness that covered the pre-history of Britain and of Europe at the time when the Association was founded. The Association was established at the beginning of the great scientific renaissance of the latter half of the nineteenth century, when antiquarian researches were being reduced to system, and the growth of the Association coincided with the period in which archeology became a science ruled like the rest by the laws of a strict induction. It had indeed largely contributed to the renaissance, not only by its work but by its example, followed by societies and clubs throughout Wales now exploring the antiquities of their several districts and collecting materials to be embodied later by the Royal Commission, presided over by Sir John Rhys, into an archaeological Domesday Book of Wales. He also particularly felt the honour for the reason that he was almost a Welshman. It was by the merest accident that he was not born in Wales and, as he had the misfortune to be born on Offa's Dyke, he was a Marcher. But for that unfortunate accident he was a Welshman, and as good a one as any present. He felt equal admiration for their beautiful country as one born under the shadow of Snowdon. He cordially thanked them for the honour conferred upon him.

Mr. H. E. Prichard (Chairman of the Urban Council) said that when he entered that room he was rather surprised to see the class of people assembled there. His impression of the Cambrian Archeological Association was that it was composed of old folks, perhaps some of them as old as Methuselah, who devoted their talents to bringing to light the hidden things of centuries. But he was mistaken, for he saw the enthusiasm of the young with the staid, honoured, and experienced. Whether young or old, all were

greatly indebted to the Members for the little knowledge possessed of their historical and ancient ruins. The Association was highly honoured-and Abergele was equally honoured-in having as its President such a learned scientist as Professor Boyd Dawkins, who was not only one of the leading authorities ou archeological research, but one of the greatest scientific men of the world to-day. The Members of the Abergele Urban District Council were present that evening on behalf of the district to give the Members of the Association a most hearty and cordial welcome to that locality. He could only regret that their welcome was not of a more substantial character, and he hoped that, as a result of their visit, many hidden things would be brought to light. He had read with the greatest interest the work of the local branch of the Association, and he hoped that, as a result of the visit to Abergele that week, they would one and all take a deeper interest in archeological research. He trusted that, under the presidency of Professor Boyd Dawkins, the Abergele district would be more thoroughly explored. In conclusion, he wished the Members a pleasant time, and trusted that they would be favoured with fine weather, and also that their visit to Abergele would be one of profit as well as of pleasure.

Canon Jones, on behalf of the Abergele Antiquarian Association, also extended to the Cambrian Archæological Association a very hearty welcome. They were deeply sensible of the honour conferred on the district by that visit, and he felt that the visit would provide much food for thought. Their district was considered to be fairly rich in the footprints of the historic past, and their local Association, although young, was strong in Members and growing in the acquisition of knowledge. By means of excursions in the summer and lectures in the winter they had acquired a great deal of knowledge, and they were greatly indebted to the friends in the district for the great interest taken in the Association, and also to the Members of the Cambrian Archæological Association for the assistance they had given them. He hoped the visit that week would stimulate research, and that pleasure and profit would be the result.

The President said that on behalf of the Association he wished to thank the Council and the local Association for their very cordial welcome. He could say that by the local work which was going on they were adding to the knowledge of the pre-history of Wales. He hoped they would continue their good work.

Professor Boyd Dawkins then gave a most interesting lecture on "Certain Fixed Points in the Pre-History of Wales." The lecture was illustrated by a number of very fine slides, and amongst those shewn were several connected with the research work by the lecturer in the neighbourhood of Cefn, St. Asaph, and Newmarket. The lantern was skilfully manipulated by the Rev. D. R. Griffiths. In his opening remarks the lecturer said there were a few matters to which he wished to refer prior to beginning his lecture. Since they last met there had taken place in Wales an event which was of the highest importance to the Principality. He referred to the Investi

ture of the Prince of Wales at Carnarvon. As Members of the Cambrian Archæological Association they wished to do homage to their Prince, and to wish him long life and a happy reign. There were other noteworthy events which had taken place since their last meeting, and in particular he would refer to the publication of The History of Wales, by Professor Lloyd, and also to The History of the Military Conquest of Wales, by Professor Harrison. In the one case it was a Welsh University which had given them the work, and in the other Oxford.

Proceeding, the President said it was in the caves and cairns of Wales that he found his call to the study of the pre-history of that country, and Wales gave him the standards from which he had dealt with the successive civilisations and the sequence of races in the British Islands and in Western Europe. Defining the limits of the pre-history of Wales as beginning at the close of the remote. period known by the geologists as Pleistocene and ending with the Roman Conquest of Britain, Dr. Boyd Dawkins said he would con centrate his attention on the evolution of the Welsh people from the various races who, in succession, established themselves in Wales in the Neolithic, Bronze, and Pre-Historic Iron Ages. The lecture, with illustrations and additional matter, will be found in earlier pages of this Part of Arch. Camb.

In proposing a vote of thanks to the President for his lecture, Sir Edward Anwyl said they had received that evening great enlightenment on many subjects, from a very learned mind, and it had been a great pleasure to listen to the lecture, as many very important subjects had been dealt with by a master hand.

Professor Sayce seconded, and said that he had never listened to a more lucid discourse. Many subjects had been placed before them in a light they had never seen before. He was sure they would be pleased to know that the lecture, together with many illustrations, would be published in the Journal of the Association. The vote of thanks was carried with applause.

EXCURSION II.-WEDNESDAY.

On Wednesday morning the Cambrians, largely increased in number, left Pensarn Station by the 9.7 train for Bettws y Coed. Here the old Church with the interesting effigy of Gruffydd ap Davydd Goch claimed attention. This effigy, 6 ft. 4 in. in length, of a knight clad in the defensive armour of the fourteenth century, is placed under a sepulchral arch in the N. chancel-wall, having along the edge of the slab on which it rests the inscription in Longobardic letters :—

× Wic: jacet: Grufyd: ap Davyd: Goch:

Agnus Dei: Miscre[re] me[i].

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