Welsh Journals

to the 16th July, the school was in charge of Mrs. Pointon, owing to the absence of Miss Pointon. The school was again closed for a week in September and another week in December. In 1893, however, H.M. Inspector in his report states although this school has been taught during the greater part of the year by un- certificated teachers, yet its general condition is not as unsatisfactory as might be expected. My Lords recognise that the Managers have done their best during the past school year to keep the school open under considerable difficulties. They have accordingly decided to allow payment of the grant." Hounds in full Cry. A colourful entry by the Head Teacher appears in the log-book of this school in 1883 11 Exercised patience instead of using the cane on Tuesday last when the hounds came by the school in full cry and the horses in full gallop. N.B. The windows are very handy for such sights." 'PRICKING' THE SHERIFFS. H.M. King George V. pricked the Sheriff's Roll this year (1935) on the 21st day of February. Mr. Justice Mackinnon writing some years ago in The Cornhill Magazine states that all the Rolls of Henry VIII., Ed. VI. and Mary, have black dots against the names of selected Sheriffs, but that in the reign of Elizabeth the pricking begins." The following suggestion as to the origin of the Custom was made to him by Dr. Montague James e: depend upon it, she was one day at her needlework and they came and worried her with the Sheriffs' Roll. In her hasty way she would not wait for the standish and instead of putting black dots, pricked holes with the instrument that chanced to be ready to her hand." Little of the old pomp and circumstance remains when the High Sheriff attends the Judge when he visits Presteigne at the Assizes. Two trumpeters still attend, but the Javelin' men are no more. It should be mentioned that an old set of Javelins are preserved at Broadheath House. The Javelin is a throwing spear, but those at Broadheath are Halberts, that is to say, they have a spear point and an axe blade and are quite unsuitable for hurling. G. DRAGE, Rodd Court.