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Fund proposed for defending Rectors of Benefices.

if it appears to be one of little difficulty, it is usually decided at once, and judgment given. If it be intricate, and involves (as frequently happens) the investigation of local circumstances, an issue is granted for a trial at the county assizes. Now the case unfortunately is become one in which our great constitutional privilege, that of Trial by Jury, appears to the least advantage. I feel a reluctance at making this remark, being fully sensible of the general excellence of our Government, and the administration of justice. But judicatures, like every thing human, must be liable to defect, and sometimes fallible. Most certain it is, that country juries are commonly prejudiced against the payment of tithes, and therefore must be expected to be so biassed in their decisions. If the verdict be given against the incumbent, he is usually, if not ruined, left without the pecuniary means of seeking further redress, by moving for a new trial, or taking the cause into a higher court. At least considerations of prudence may be supposed to restrain him. Whilst on the other hand, should the decision be in his favour, the wealthy and exasperated defendant, unalarmed by costs, and finding the interests of his estate at stake, feels probably little hesitation in making a further venture by another trial: and if still unsuccessful, as last resource, removes the cause into the House of Lords! There can be no wonder that any one of slender fortune should be discouraged and deterred by such formidable obstacles; which in fact must become, in most cases, insuperable barriers to his obtaining justice. The consequence generally is, that he submits to the necessity of the case, and acquiesces in conditions which he knows to be unjust: thus signing and sealing the ruin of his benefice. These are evils which call aloud, and long have called for some remedy. The general outline and view which I have given of the subject, may lead to a fuller and abler discussion of it. Meanwhile the candid attention of all friends to the Church is requested to this representation of facts, which may enable them to form a judgment as to the expediency of the present proposed measure, that of establishing (as has been above said) a fund for defending the rights of benefices. It may reasonably be hoped

[Νον.

that the vigorous and determined in-
vestigation of a few select cases, where-
in injustice is manifest, would, as pre-
cedents, facilitate the decision of others,
and become the means of a systematic
redress of all such aggressions. Of
course a Society and Committee would
be necessary to regulate an institution
of this nature, to superintend the ap-
plication of its funds, and to examine
into the merits of all claims to receive
the benefit of them. But these are
after-considerations, and I therefore
here drop the subject: only adding my
hope that the benevolence and libera-
lity which ever characterize a British
publick in behalf of the oppressed, will
appear in this instance. Thus will
they essentially befriend a class of men,
respecting whom it may too truly be
said, that whatever be their merits,
collectively or individually,
"The world is not their friend nor the

world's law!" SHAKSPEARE.

Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

M

VERAX.

Summerlands, Exeter,
Νου. 4.

UCH of Common Law is founded on customs. The commendable abrogation of laws of evil tendency now frequently effected in the present age, enlightened by sound principles of political morals, sufficiently evinces that customs, however sanctioned by antiquity, are far from being unquestionable. Under such just consideration, the record of customs in your valuable repository of information leads to a candid examination of them, and necessarily to their rejec tion, if found to militate against the cause of religion and moral order in society. I shall now state a very old custom, leaving it to your numerous readers, and more especially to Churchmen, to judge, whether what no individual of proper feelings would for a moment imitate, can be any longer tolerated, consistently with the rubrick of our Church. I must do the Clergy here the justice to say, that they have in vain attempted to abolish so improper an usage; while the corporate body who maintain it, see nothing immoral in its continuance; and defend it on the abstract principle of the honor it originally conferred, the memory of which, under an erroneous impression of the intentions of the Royal Donor, which they steadfastly cherish.

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WINDOW FROM BASINWERK ABBEY IN LLANASSA CHURCH, FLINT.

1825.]

Painted Window from Basingwerk Abbey.

This city is celebrated in the page of history for heroic defences made against rebellious armies and ferocious invaders. The pretender, PERKINWARBECK, was gallantly repulsed from its walls raised in the time of ATHELSTAN. In reward for such loyalty and bravery, the Seventh Henry granted a charter of immunities; presesented his own sword to the Mayor, and gave a hat or cap of liberty to be worn on all public occasions. The Mayor and Corporation enter the Cathedral, preceded by the Swordbearer wearing this hat on his head, within the Choir, and does not take it off, till he has deposited the sword before the Mayor, close to the throne of the Bishop. In like manner, he wears this hat in the HOUSE OF GOD, in marching in front of the procession leaving the Cathedral. The Church-rubrick permits no person to wear a hat within the Temple of the Deity; the infirm only being allowed to use a description of nightcap. Henry the Seventh was rather a religious Monarch, who would not sanction an impious custom and if we are to suppose that Roman Catholics in those days, acted thus, surely Protestants are forbid to follow so shocking an example. Probably some of your Correspondents can inform us, whether such an extraordinary custom be prevalent in any other Protestant place of worship? JOHN MACDONALD,

Mr. URBAN, Liverpool, Sept. 10. Tmonly called Llanassa, in the HE parish of Llanasaph, comcounty of Flint, is situated on the banks of the Dee, 6 miles Northwest of Holywell, and 212 from Lon

don.

The Church, dedicated to St. Asaph, is much more spacious than the generality of churches in the Principality, having been considerably enlarged since its first erection. It has two East windows, in the more ancient of which is placed some fine stained glass, represented in Plate II. This *It was remarked to George II. that at Court a privileged Nobleman wore his hat, on which the Monarch neatly observed, that the Peer forgot that Ladies were present. The Mayor and Corporation may apply this à priori, in an infinitely higher sense, to a practice that would certainly be better ho

noured in the breach than in the observance. GENT. MAG. November, 1825.

401

glass is the more curious, from having originally adorned the neighbouring Abbey of Basingwerk. It obtained its present situation by the liberality of Henry ap Harry, of Llanassa, who, having purchased the house and lands of Basingwerk Abbey, on its dissolution in 1540, made this present to his own parish church.

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The subject of the centre compartment is the Crucifixion, with St. Mary and St. John standing at the foot of the Cross.

The first compartment to the right of the plate exhibits a female saint, with no very remarkable or apparent symbol. It is probably Saint Anne, who was usually drawn with a book. The glass doubtlessly suffered much in its removal, and several parts are disarranged and misplaced. On each side of this figure we have a fragment of an inscription, on one of which occurs the usual incipient word, Ora, and on the other, Joan...

In the next division we have a Bi

shop bearing very apparently the pall of Canterbury. It may be intended for St. Augustine or St. Thomas à Becket.

On the other side of the Crucifixion stands St. Lawrence, with his usual accompaniments, a book and gridiron.

In the last compartment is St. James the Less, with his inscription remaining, Sanct' Jacob'. He has, as is usual, a book in his hand; behind his head, his pilgrim's hat, bearing an escallop shell, is thrown back; and under his arm remains part of his staff.

In the three rondeaux above the heads of the first, second, and last figures, are depicted the instruments and symbols of the Passion; in the first three immense nails between diminutive pincers and hammer; in the second, the five wounds of Christ; in the last, Judas's bag and Peter's cock.

Of the Rectory of Llanasaph the Bishop of St. Asaph is proprietor, and he is the patron of the Vicarage. Bp. Laurence Child procured in 1385 the impropriation of this Church to supply his Cathedral with lights, and to repair the ruins occasioned by the

wars.

The present worthy Vicar of Llanasaph is the Rev. Henry Parry.

By the marriage of Anne, only daughter and heiress of Henry ap Harry above mentioned, to William Mostyn, esq. of Talacre, the Priory of

Basing

40%

On the use of the

Basingwerk was conveyed to that fa-
mily, by whom it is still possessed.
Edward, son of William, was created
a Baronet in 1670; and Sir Edward
Mostyn, the present Baronet, is the
seventh who has borne the title.
Yours, &c. W. LATHAM.

ON THE USE OF THE HISTORICAL
TRIADS.

THE Greek and Roman historians

Tove their reputation as much to the beauties of their style, as to their accuracy. Their form is pleasing, and from being made the medium of education, they become our companions in the closet. But the discerning reader perceives that Herodotus abounds in fable, that Livy is frequently mistaken, and that such as cannot be charged with credulity, have an obvious bias in favour of their country. In other countries information is derived, not from chronicles, but from poetical and traditionary relicks. The Persians have their Shah Nameh, and the Hindoos their Mahabbarat; and the early events of our ancestors must be principally gleaned from the Historical Triads. Of these records the observations of Mr. Turner and the Editors of the Myvyrian Archaiology will supply the best account:

"The Welch have a very singular collection of historical facts, which they call TRIADS. Three events which have an analogy in some point or other, are arranged together. It is certainly a very whimsical mode of commemorating events, but the actions of man are full of caprice. The fanciful rudeness of the plan may discredit the taste or judgment of its authors; but the veracity of the statement is not affected by the singularity of the form. If the Welsh have never had a Livy, or a Thucydides; if they have made Triads, instead of histories, we may blame the misdirection of their genius; but we cannot try the authenticity of a record by its taste and elegance, or what will become of our special pleading, our bills in equity, and our acts of parlia

ment*!

pe

"The historical Triads have been obviously put together at very different riods. Some appear very ancient. Some allude to circumstances about the first population, and early history of the island, of which every other memorial has perished. The Triads were noticed by Camden with respect. Mr. Vaughan, the antiquary of

* Vindication of the Ancient British Poems, p. 126.

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Hengurt, refers them to the seventh century. Some may be the records of more ancient traditions, and some are of more recent date. I think them the most curious, on the whole, of all the Welsh Remains."+ Of the Triads there are many MSS. in different collections.

"They may be considered (say the Editors) amongst the most valuable and curious productions preserved in the Welsh language; and they contain a great number of memorials of the remarkable events which took place among the ancient Britons. Unfortunately, however, they are deficient with respect to dates; and, considered singly, they are not well adapted to preserve the connection of history. Yet, a collection of Triads, continued together as these are, condeuse more information into a small compass, than is to be accomplished perhaps such a mode of composition is superior to by any other method; and consequently all others for the formation of a system of tradition."

the munificence of Mr. Owen Jones, They were published, in 1801, by and have since been edited by Mr. Probert. Every elucidation which can now be obtained, will be found, Cambro-Briton, a respectable periodiwith a chronological digest, in the cal, conducted by the late Mr. Parry. One disadvantage they certainly posto enumerate precisely THREE circumstances, such as "the three accursed deeds of the Isle of Britain," it may often have been necessary to exthat the Triads must be regarded as aggerate, and sometimes to omit; so detached notices rather than a complete series of records.

sess:

The Triads remount to the political circumstances of the Cymry before their supposed departure from Asia, Hu Gadaru, or The Mighty, whom some sanguine antiquaries have identified with Noah, is said to have formed them into social communities, to have instructed them in agriculture, servation of historical memorials. Unand to have adapted poetry to the preder his auspices, they reached an island, previously denominated Clas Merddin, or The Sea-defended Green Spot, and by the colonists, Vel Inys, or The Honey Isle. A federal monarchy was subsequently established by Prydain (a name signifying beautiful), from whom the island is said to have derived its present (though altered) appellation of Britain.

+ P. 131.

Poetry

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