Welsh Journals

correspondingly, their monopoly of the shrievalty to be replaced by a new meritocracy. It also makes some interesting observations for example, that, since 1966, only about half the sheriffs have had Welsh surnames. The variety of origin of the sheriffs well exemplifies the cosmopolitan nature of modern Glamorgan, where industrial and commercial success has brought a stream of immigrants from all over the United Kingdom. This cosmopolitanism does not extend to choosing many women for the post: a quick scan through the photographs shows women mostly in the role of wives supporting their husbands. Patricia Moore's long association with the Glamorgan Archive Service saw a varied and exciting publication programme. Hilary Thomas's work on Glamorgan estate maps is a good example of how professionally these publications were produced. Such experience has doubtless influenced the present work. The dust-jacket is attractive and well-designed, the text clear and neatly laid-out, sections being differentiated by the use of running headings and variety of typeface. It is a pity that there is not an index, but this is offset by the excellent chronological list of sheriffs. Taken as a whole, this is a work which many with an interest in the history of Glamorgan will want to add to their collection. KIM COLLIS West Glamorgan County Archive Service TwiCE TO ST DAVID'S. By David W James. Gomer Press, Llandysul. 1995. Pp. 158. £ 7.95. David James is an admired Pembrokeshire author, an inhabitant of St David's and headmaster of the grammar school there for many years, who made a name for himself as the author of St David's and Dewisland:A Social History (1983). He has now ventured on the publication of this appealing book of miscellaneous essays on the city of St David's and its environs. The title, Twice to St David's, refers, of course, to that staunch medieval conviction that Dewi's shrine was charged with such holiness that two pilgrimages there were the equivalent of one to the Eternal City of Rome itself. The author's publishers have served him handsomely by producing a beautifully printed book with a wealth of charming and unusual illustrations that add enormously to the interest and value of the work. It is an attractive volume in more respects than one. First, there is the deep and unconcealed affection of the author for the mysterious and irresistible aura that surrounds St David's and its age-long traditions as the