Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/169

 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 123 cited by some persons as gcuuiuc, and it is important to show the total fallacy of the argument. Du. Cane read a memoir on " ring-money," and produced three specimens found in the Co. Kilkenny or on its borders. These rings weighed 77 grs., 100 grs., and 214 grs. respectively. He gave an interesting summary of the remarks of Sir William Betham, Mr. Lindsay, and Dr. Petrie, on this vexata qua'stio. Sir William had first advanced the notion that these rings are the money of the Celts, and are all graduated in weight, so as to be mul- tiples of 12 grs. or ^ dwt. ; and he sought to corroborate this opinion by statements regarding the use of gold and iron rings, as money, in^Nubia and other parts of Africa. Dr. Cane read the authorities cited by the writers above-mentioned, showing the frequent presents of rings in early times ; and that payments of ransom, rent, or fines, were estimated by weight of gold or silver. Dr. Petrie shows that the precious metals were used thus as a circulating medium, sometimes as ingots, more frequently as rings; and this appears more distinctly in the " Book of Rights," translated by O'Donovan. Dr. Cane gave also some illustrations of this curious subject from the Sagas, showing the frequent mention of gold rings among the Northmen as marks of distinction and a kingly largess, but not viewed as mere money. He inclined to regard the Irish " ring-money " as having been used in like manner, and to question its having served as a circulating medium for ordinary purposes of traffic or exchange. i^iscellancous j^otftcs. It is proposed to publish a new edition of the Myvtrian Archaiologt of Wales, with English translations, under the auspices of the Welsh MSS. Society. In the original edition, now rarely to be purchased, no transla- tions were given. Nearly the whole of the historical portion, consisting of the Genealogies of the British Saints, the Historical Triads, and various British chronicles, is ready for the press, having been prepared for the late Record Commission, and since placed at the disposal of the society by the Master of the Rolls. The publication will commence, under the direction of Ven. Archdeacon of Cardigan, as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers is obtained to meet the expense. The work will form four or five volumes, to be issued at intervals of about twelve months. Persons who are willing to encourage this important undertaking, which has already received the Royal sanction, should send their names to the publisher, Mr. Rees, Llandovery. Messrs. Brooke, of Lincoln, have announced the publication of an exact copy of all the monumental inscriptions in Lincoln Cathedral, as they stood in 1641 ; collected by Robert Sanderson, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln, and corrected by Sir W. Dugdale's MS. Survey, now in Lord Winchilsea's Library, at Ilartwell, Kent. A transcript of that survey was presented by the Archdeacon of Lincoln to the Chapter Library, with copies of the interesting sketches of monuments and the numerous sepulchral brasses, of which none now remain in the Minster.