6 NOVEMBER 1886, Page 23

Old Stone Crosses of the Vale of Clywd and Neighbouring

Parishes. By the Rev. Elias Owen, M.A. (Bernard Quaritch.)—This is a handsome volume, fully illustrated, and the work, it is evident, of one who has brought to his task as much learning as diligence. An account of these interesting monuments is given both by pen and pencil ; and this is supplemented by many notices of old local customs. We may instance that of the old wakes, now everywhere extinct, which is given under the head of ".Efenechtyd ;" and of the kindred amusement of the games. In the churchyard of that parish there still lies, Mr. Owen tells us, a huge boulder, weighing 101 lb., which used to be " put " by local champions. Some of these games were suffi- ciently savage, and some of the Welshwomen emulated the Spartan wives and mothers. A. wife who was reproved for acting as second to her husband, replied, "I would sooner carry his bones home in my apron than that he should be beaten."