Welsh Journals

BOOK REVIEWS Brunei's Tubular Suspension Bridge over the River Wye. Chepstow Society. This, the latest edition, is a great improvement on the original publication with excellent illustrations and "pull-out" map and general view of the bridge and its surroundings. The inclusion of "the lifting of Chepstow Station" was an inspira- tion. Altogether a worthy addition to the Chepstow Society's booklets and well worth its price of 75p. J.K.L. Monmouthshire Medley, Volume One. A bedside book compiled and edited by Reginald Nichols. 1976. Starling Press. £ 1.50. This 144 page book contains 16 items on Monmouthshire history. There is an accent on Pontypool and its neighbourhood which is to be expected as Mr. Nichols has specialised in the history of this area. In the introduction he describes the publication as "Un- ashamedly a rag-bag, a miscellany, or pot-pourri of literary items relating to different parts of Monmouthshire". Indeed it is, but this in no way detracts from its appeal. Cheek by jowl are some of the "oldies’’­-Leland’s Description of Gwent, Edmund Jones' Geographical, historical and religious account of the parish of Aberystruth; with previously unknown items such as Llanderfil, the manor of Magna Porta and Llantarnam Abbey by D. A. W. Edwards. One reason for the book's appearance is the present dearth of books in print on the history of Monmuthshire. A number of the items will be known to the earnest reader of our county's history, but it is definitely a good idea to make them available to the general reader. The book is enhanced by three maps: Saxton's 1607 county map, a plan of Pontypool of 1836 and another of Abergavenny of 1800. In addition there are 19 illustrations and also a reproduction of Pontypool House taken from a Pontypool japan plaque. The whole book forms a very readable mixture. Good work, Mr. Nichols! I am sure too that a welcome awaits volume two which is promised to appear soon. W.J.C. 'IN THAT GENTILE COUNTRY 1. By R. Geraint Gruffydd. Evangelical Library of Wales. 1976. 45p. This boklet, sub-titled The beginnings of Puritan Nonconformity in Wales, is the published version of Professor Gruffydd's annual lecture for 1975, sponsored by the Evangelical Library of Wales. In it he gives an account of the "first generation" of those who