From King Orry to Queen Victoria. By Edward Callow. (Elliot
Stock. 7s. 6&)—King Orry (alias Gorree) was a Norse chieftain who landed in A.D. 938, and settled the affairs of Mona on a permanent footing. To him the island owes the House of Keys, which ought to have celebrated, perhaps did celebrate, its millenary half a century ago. (We may observe that the Mona of Tacitus was Anglesea, though Polydore Virgil, and others seem to have taken it for Man.) The island has had a curious history, its worst time being the period of the Athole domination. This came to an end by purchase, at what seems an extravagant rate, £100,000 being paid for the patronage of the bishopric and four- teen advowsons, with a total income of £6,000. Kingdoms, how- ever, are not bought and sold every day. Mr. Callow has brought together a number of interesting facts, but he might have culti- vated the critical spirit with advantage.
Previous page
