Welsh Journals

THE ORDOVICES AND ANCIENT POWYS. By ARCHDEACON THOMAS, M.A., F.S.A. BEING THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS READ AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AT SHREWSBURY, 1905. Reprinted by permission from the Archceologia Cambrensis. WHEN we remember that Shrewsbury was the capital of one of the three ancient Provinces of Wales, and that it is the most convenient centre for the whole of the Principality, it is remarkable that, during the sixty years of the existence of our Association, this is the first occasion on which it has been chosen for our Annual Meeting. We have, indeed, met on four occasions within the limits of the county, namely, twice at Ludlow, and once each at Church Stretton and Oswestry and on one of these occasions we came here for a day's excursion; but this is our first annual gathering at this famous old town. Shrewsbury itself is full of objects of interest-as every traveller knows, or ought to know, who has two or three hours to spare on his journey-and in its neighbourhood, which is so rich in antiquities, we shall visit places noted for their historic interest-military, ecclesiastical, and domestic-places which cannot fail to yield us delight and instruction. They range from the Roman remains at Vriconium, down to the still- occupied residences of Boscobel and Pitchford, and they comprise three of the four Minsters around the Wrekin. As, however, we are to be favoured with the guidance of experts who know the story of the places they will describe-and love it as no outsider can- I will not tarry over this ground, nor will I anticipate