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NOTES AND QUERIES. [9 th s. VIL JUNE 22, 1901.

cup and the ring are a very ancient forjn of inscription, accompanied by religious symbols. The subject is too large for a note, but will be found treated in detail in the paper now in the press. J. H. RIVETT-UARNAC,

Colonel, A.D.C. to the King. Schloss Wildeck, Switzerland.

ME. HUGHES should see 'The Ancient British Sculptured Kocks of Northumberland and the Eastern Borders, with Notices of 'the Remains associated with these Sculptures,' by George Tate, F.G.S. (Alnwick, H. H. Blair, 1865), an 8vo booklet of 46 pp. with 12 plates, depicting " every inscribed rock in Northumberland found in situ on which in- telligible forms could be traced," drawn, with one exception, to a scale of half an inch to the foot. The late Dr. John Collingwood Bruce issued in 1869 a handsome folio volume on the same subject, entitled ' Incised Mark- ings on Stone found in the County of North- umberland, Argyleshire, and other Places.' RICHD. WELFORD.

See Sir J. Y. Simpson on 'Archaic Sculp- turings'; George Tate, 'Sculptured Stones,' Alnwick, 1865, 8vo ; the Catalogue of the Society of Antiquaries, Scotland, pp. 258-9 ; (?) N. Hey wood, 'Cup and Ring Stones,' 1889. I do not remember whether Mr. J. Romilly Allen touches upon this unsolved j riddle in ' Prehistoric Rock Sculpture.' The so-called " cup " appears to have been made ; by the use of a compass-formed implement in making the ring. The circle with en- closed dot is the Egyptian iconographic ' representation of the sun ; and the astro- ' logical diagram for the sun among the Latin astrologers is a series of concentric circles, intended to intensify the circle's amuletive power. It is perhaps doubtful, however, considering the attention that has already been given to the problem, whether 'N. & Q.' can take us beyond the hypothetical stage of the connexion of these incised circles with solar worship'. J. HOLDEN MACMICHAEL.

WELSH MANUSCRIPT PEDIGREES (9 th S. iv. 412, 483 ; v. 109, 358 ; vii. 131, 213). Permit me to reply to MR. J. H. MATTHEWS, who is somewhat disconcerted by my "ob- scurantism " in remarking " that the sooner modern Welsh is forgotten the better." I have not my letter before me, but I know that I was referring to the practical hardship upon poor people, who are greatly handi- capped in life by being tied down to a patois which is of very doubtful value even to the philologist. Much more than enough of it has already been printed, and Mr. Evans

gives us a surfeit in his Peniarth catalogue. The idea of combining the inestimable treasures of ancient Welsh with it is absurd ; unless, indeed, one could adopt the latest views of Prof. Rhys, who ignores the various nationalities in his classification of ancient Welsh, as if the numerous tribes of the Britons, the Goths, the Picts, the Belgians, &c., had no share in it. Before boasting that he knows both ancient and modern Welsh, MR. MATTHEWS should read some of the older Welsh writers (of a past century), who frankly confessed their ignorance of the various sources of their old MSS., and even of their language. Perhaps a little true learning on the subject might convince MR. MATTHEWS of his ignorance, and make him a little more tolerant of those who cannot accept the philological teaching of modern Oxford scholars. I do not pretend that I shall ever be remembered (and I am not anxious about it), but I venture to predict that the rubbish of the Oxford school will not survive for another generation. Bishop Stubbs, E. A. Freeman, and Max Miiller gone, students must think for themselves and cease from following blind guides. Do Oxford men know that their inscription to the Martyrs' Memorial has made them the scorn of Europe, and fit only to sit at the feet of Mr. Kensit? In writing this .1 merely refer to the "extras" taught to the "young gentlemen": for their great knowledge of the classics I have the most profound re- spect ; but pray let them give up the farce of pretending to understand Welsh. Both the Bodleian and the library of Jesus College are wretchedly deficient in Welsh literature, and an adoption of modern Welsh vices and agnosticism is a poor substitute for true learning. PYM YEATMAN.

Dakeyne Cottage, Hackney, Matlock.

TOWNS WHICH HAVE CHANGED THEIR SlTES

(9 th S. vii. 206, 273, 359, 417).-L. L. K. may be thinking of the old town of Goa when he refers to the "strange behaviour of a sixth town somewhere in India." As I saw it in the sixties nothing but the very fine old church (still used) remained, and with its thick walls is likely to remain. The increasing unhealthiness of the site caused the exodus of the town. HAROLD MALET, Col.

"It is further stated by some ancient writers that Perth originally stood at the confluence of the

Almond and the Tay The cause of its removal

was a terrible inundation in 1210, by which the town was swept away and rebuilt two miles further

down the river If it ever happened that Perth

stood at the mouth of the Almond, it could not have been at the date given, as there are charters