Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/295

 Xoticcs of glidjacologital ^Dublifau'ons. ARCHiEOLOGIA CAMBRENSIS : a Record of the Anti<iuitics of Wulcs aii<l i(« Marches, and the Journal of the Cambrian Archaeological Association. New Series, No. VI., April, li!51. Published Quarterly. Vols. I., II., 111., IV.; and Vol. I., ^<'ew Series. The kindred Society, under wliosc auspices this journal is produced, may well claim the friendly interest and favour of members of the Arcliaeoloi^icul Iii.^titute. Its origin, towards the close of the year 184G, may be wholly traced to the beneficial stimulus caused by that publication, now in turn adopted by the Society as its recognised and official organ, and the record of its transactions. This Society has speedily evinced a striking degree of activity, scarcely surpassed by other institutions of maturer growth, and greater resources. Placed in that quarter of Britain, regarded, wlicther rightfully or other- wise Archaeology perhaps alone can demonstrate, as the refuge of our ancient religion, customs and races, — wlioso antiquaries had hitherto passed almost as a byword for exaggeration bordering upon romance, among their Anglican brethren, the Cambrian Archaeological Association has in its sphere already done much to bring to light the unwritten and written annals of the past, and has sent forth into the fastnesses of Wales an industrious little native band, whose love of country, though undi- minished, is tempered with more sober judgment, and alive to a more stubborn perception of facts. On the other hand, by offering the hand of fellowship and association to all those Englishmen by whom Welsh anti- quities are appreciated as they deserve, it has secured an interchange of ideas and opinions, which cannot fail to inspire confidence and to remove prejudice. The present number commences with " Remarks on Querns," by Dr. Hume, of Liverpool, in which he suggests what were the difl^erent contrivances for grinding food, which eventually introduced the quern ; subsequently giving a derivation of the word "quern," an account of its "structure," its history, locality, mode of use, and the laws and customs relating to it. These remarks are followed by the first of a series of contributions " On Architectural Antiquities in Monmouthshire," by Mr. Freeman, in which he compares the churches of that county with those of Pembrokeshire and Gower, and discusses the date of the churches, their outline and ground plan, towers, and other leading and architectural features. With the exception of Chepstow Priory Church, and St. Wollos, at Newport, which exhibit the Norman style on a grand scale, Mr. Freeman finds in the Principality but little Romanesque ; of Early English there is much deserving notice ; of Decorated, a most perfect example in Tintern Abbey Church ; while, in the greater proportion. Perpendicular prevails. Ho promises a future notice of the peculiar plans of St. Wollos and Christ Church, and he remarks upon the superiority of the Monmouthshire churches over those already compared with them, as being especially manifested in their chancel arches, which are well turned, pointed, and chamfered, differing little from what would be found in any ordinary English church of the like scale and period, and in their doorways. This paper, illustrated