Notices of Kefcu ^9iiblications.

Obiginal Chaeters, and Materials for a History of Neatii and ITS Abbey, with illustrations, now first collected by George Grant Francis, F.S.A., Hon. Secretary for South Wales to the Archaeological Institute, &c. Swansea, 7iot published, 8vo. 1845. Numerous are the sources of information valuable to the historian and the archaeologist, still left in obscure neglect in the principality of Wales ; the labours of a few zealous investigators have scarcely sufficed to enu- merate, or call attention to the various ancient remains which present them- selves at every step in that interesting country. The recently established periodical, indeed, devoted exclusively to the illustration of the antiquities of Wales, must be hailed as a presage of a spirit of more earnest and careful research in that fertile, although neglected, field of enquiry^. Much com- mendation is due to the intelligent labours of those, who, like Mr. Grant Francis and Mr. Dilhvyn, have toiled with little hitherto of the tide of public opinion in their favour, and to whose zealous endeavours we are indebted for various valuable contributions to local or personal history. The materials for a History of Neath and its Abbey form an important addition to the collections, connected with the antiquities of Glamorgan- shire, put forth by Mr. Francis, and they hold out an encouragement to anticipate the extension of his researches in so interesting a locality. The mass of curious facts and traditions, still unsearched, and almost inaccessible in MSS., to which the taste and attention of recent times has but imper- fectly been drawn, constitutes only a portion of the vestiges of antiquity in Wales. An important monument, in connexion with the political and civil institutions of that country, has recently been given to the public, in the ably edited compilation of its Ancient Laws, one of the most valuable pro- ductions which have appeared under the auspices of the Commission on the Public Records. The appearance of such authentic materials would en- courage the hope that some writer competent to the task, may, ere long, be stimulated to undertake that desideratum in our historical literature, the ancient Annals of Wales and its Marches. The neglected traditions regard- ing those, whose labours and sufferings aided in the diffusion of Christianity in early times, are full of interest, as tending to throw light upon the esta- blishment of the faith in these kingdoms, by the ministration of men whose memory has been regarded as holy, although their sainted names may not be enregistered on the calendar of Rome. Some materials towards Welsh » Archoeologia Canibrensis, a record of and its Marclies. Loudon, 8vo. Pickering, tlie Antiquities, Historical, Genealogical, Two quarterly parts, with a Supplement, Topographical, and Architectural, of AVaUs have already ajipeared. VOL. III. Ty- 1)