Cylchgronau Cymru

THE USK G-LEAKEE A Local Register of Events and Magazine of Information. No. 2. Published Br J. H. CLARK, at " The County Observer" Office, Use. PEICE 3d MONMOUTH CURIOSITIES. Some years ago a number of living witnesses could be produced as proof of the following, and even at the present day our sexagenarian friends of the coun¬ ty town will recall to mind the friends of the past. In the first place Goode is in the town, and in the neighbourhood is Goodall. The town comprehends many Miles, and many of the inhabitants can trace their genealogy to the days of the patriarchs, viz; — Addams, Kar.es, Isaacs, Elias, and Daniel, and some others bearing a still higher name Hy-am. Some of the streets bear names ch iracteristic of the sanctity of the above, for we have St. James s street, St. Marys street, St. John's street, Church street, and Monk street ; and near the town we have Church farm and Chapel farm ; whilst to denote our strength we have Castle hill and Anchor hill. There are also illustrious and dignified characters amongst us, as instance an Owen- "ludor, a Lawrence, a Moore, a Rogers, a Cook, a Parry, a Howe, and an Abbott; and residing near us a Pope, and if not a High-She¬ riff, at least a •Sheriff on a high hill. Imitating pri¬ mitive customs several of our tradesmen are known by christian names preferring James, Charles, George, the William's, the Richard's, the Robert's, and the Edmund's. Although Monmouth has about 5000 inhabitants, there are but two degrees of relationship existing amongst them, viz. ; son and cousin, we have Jack'son, WiWson, Thorn'son, and Robert'son, and many other of that degree, while we have but one family of Cossens. In our trades we are very select, having but one Glover, one Mercer, one Farmer, one Mason and one Weaver, besides Tylers, Bakers, Smiths, and Turners; amongst the whole of whom We have but one measure of capacity, which is a Bushel. We have some animals which we prize, al¬ though they be not peculiar to the "place, viz ; a Steed, a Hare, a (oney, a Buck, a Mad-ox and Hughes (Ewes), with three species of the feathered tribe, Dawes, Goslings, (but no old Goose), and a covey of Partridges, for whose accommodation we are furnished with two ample Avery's. We have Bees and Ives, and although we cannot complain of spiders, we are yet supplied with Webbs. Our gar¬ ments consist of Coates, a Spencer, Hat-on and Braces. The beverage is good for those who de¬ light in heavy—Hale, Burton, and Porter; while at the same time for teetotallers we have some very- good Waters. We are particularly bless,ed with res¬ pect to ecclesiastical matters, for were we bereft of churches and chapels we should still nave Parsons and Claries to console us. We now and then meet with a Hough, but we have always Harpers to make us Merry. We abound with useful articles and ne¬ cessaries, having Wood, Coles, Smallwood, Powles, Box, Beach, Crates, Rugs, Hobbs, and two Howses, with only one Latch, and that in a neighbouring vil¬ lage, a Whitehouse and a Kitchen, for all of which we have various Prices. The police have been very ac¬ tive in putting clown Cards, because they have pro¬ duced IVarr, followed by Payne, although in most cases Justice has been administered. Monmouth is diversified with Wilds, Hills, Heaths, Fords, and Dykes, every Knight we have the same Cloud. If parliament were to deprive us of municipal privileges tomorrow, we should still have a Burgess left. We have Swift- Walkers and a Trotter, and are well sup¬ plied with Salt and Whiting. The colors of the town are Grjen and Brown, and contrary to custom we have Streets in the country and Lanes in the town. Our houses of entertainment afford objects of curiosity to the naturalist, such as a Nag's Head, a White Horse, a Green Dragon, a Fox, a Greyhound, a Falcon, a Black Swan, a White Swan, and Ihree Salmons. We have subjects for the phrenologist in a Queen's head, a King's head, a Druid's head, and a Boar's head. The herald may also find work as we have a King's Arms, a Beaufort's Arms, a Butcher's Arms, a Cooper's Arms, and a Carpenter's Arms. Our fruit is scarce but choice, being confined to the Vine Tree, Cherry Tree, and Pear 'Iree. Nautical. excursionists may be accommodated with a Ship or a Boat. Our estates are either classical abodes such as 'Iroy or Rome, or modern retreats as Florence, Gi- bralter, Monte Video, and Port Mahon. Our water includes a Clear-well, a Red-brook, and a Lake on the top of a hill, and our town -containing people both Good and Rich, we should live in peace and comfort. The Caerleon Antiquabian Society held its an¬ nual meeting in Usk Castle on the 5th of August, 1856, when Mr. Freeman made some interesting re¬ marks on the architecture of Usk Church and Priory, and Mr. Wakeman gave an account of Usk Castle and its possessors, and also an interpretation of the curious Brass Plate in Usk Church, the characters of which he ascribed to the time of Henry III,