Welsh Journals

STONES NEAR LLANWENOG CHURCH. In anticipation of the first issue of the forthcoming Journal of the above Society, containing some space which will be allotted to a column for Notes and Queries, I have thought it may be possible for you to insert the following: — Some few months ago my attention was called to a number of rough boulder stones placed in the embankment of the hedge on the right-hand side of the narrow lane leading from the main road towards Llanwenog Church as this is approached from a north-eastward direction. The stones at present number some eight or nine, and have been placed at regular intervals of eight yards apart, but it is stated that formerly there were many more, probably extend- ing over the whole length of the lane which covers a distance of between two and three hundred yards. The ordinary passer-by would probably associate these stones with the forming of the original road- way, while the ecclesiastical mind would be inclined to connect them with some ancient religious custom. Can it be that they were origin- ally intended to indicate prayer stations for those who were wending their way towards the Church to engage in their devotions there, and who, as soon as a view of the sacred edifice was obtained would accord- ing to custom immediately kneel down and offer their Paternoster which, as is well-known, was "par-excellence" the prayer of the people? The placing of the stones at regular intervals of eight yards may, perhaps, be accounted for by the fact that, being so placed, the devotions of one party might not interfere with those of the next party in the audible recital of their prayers. Some colour is lent to the theory which I have advanced as to the original purpose of these stones by the fact that in approaching the Church from the opposite direction, on the brow of the hill overlooking the Church there is a spot where tradition says, those who were about to take part in divine service in the Church always offered up a preliminary prayer. The same religious custom seems to have prevailed in some of the contiguous parishes. Pencarreg has its Penrhiwygweddiau or the brow of the hill of prayer. While Llanybyther has its "Penrhiw Bader, or Pater Noster Hill. Numerous instances of similar place-names might be mentioned, but I must refrain from saying more at present. Hoping that you, Mr. Editor, or some other reader of your valuable Journal versed in lithology will be pleased to throw some fresh light upon the subject. J. Morris. SOME OBJECTS OF ANTIQUARIAN INTEREST IN LLANGYBI AND LLANFAIRCLYDOGAU. I.-LLANGYBI. On the main road, leading from Lampeter to Llangybi, just on the outskirts of the village, may be seen an ancient milestone; it is>