On the vestry floor there lies what is known as " Cyft Beuno", or the chest of St. Beuno (see fig. 24). It is a feature of touching interest, from its strangely primitive appearance and look of long-continued decay. It is formed

out of part of the trunk of a solid tree, the lid being simply sawn from its natural position, and the chest dug out of the solid. It is bound with iron straps and hinges, and

GLYN DE LLIAR

Fig. 20.

has its locks and bolts all of the simplest make; but the colours brought about by its dusty decay and wormeaten surfaces add to it a charm neither intended nor looked for. Though in effect it has a very ancient look, and though its rudeness of make and material lend them

selves to the idea of great age, there is no character about its workmanship that warrants it as earlier date than the building itself. sigh this is written, but what the

being placed at an It is almost with a work bespeaks for

itself must not be gainsaid. At Wimborne Minster there is a good example of a chest fashioned in the same manner as this at Clynnog.

1624

1623

Fig. 23.

The font, though not specially striking, is, like most of the other features, peculiar and uncommon. It has a stone base and shaft, panelled, and an oak basin, also panelled, and lined with lead, with an oak cover surmounted by a cross.

There is in the possession of the vicar a very beautiful

66

object, not often to be seen in connection with a church: it is one of the class of mediaeval drinking-bowls called mazers". It is now used for the purpose of collecting the alms at the time of the ministration of the Holy Communion. It is a bowl as nearly as possible 5 ins. in diameter, and about 2 ins. in height; the upper part is of silver-gilt, and on the outside of this is an engraved inscription in black letter in combination with very beautiful foliage; the lower part is of maple, now dark in colour, and on the inside of this there stands a silver circular pedestal, known as the "print", which is also decorated by chasing. This cup is very highly prized, and is probably of the date of the latter part of the

Length, 3 ft. 9 ins. ; width of ends, 1 ft. 3 ins. ; entire height, 11 ins.

fifteenth century. It is kept at the vicarage, and it is a rare occurrence for the vicar to let it pass out of his hands; but at the visit of this Association in the autumn of last year, members were granted full liberty to examine it. See fig. 25.

Another object of perhaps more general interest than even the precious" mazer" cup is kept in the church, and it is the delight of the old lady caretaker to call constant attention to it. But it is not specially of an ecclesiastical purpose, and probably only remained in use during the time that the floor of the church was cut up into little family freeholds (so to speak), and when households assembled, even down to their canine favourites, within the four corners of these little curtained enclosures, as for family and not congregational worship. But dogs are not to be

1898

10

depended upon for a Christian's behaviour, and in order to secure the safe expulsion of the noisy or unruly animal, an instrument called "dog tongs" was provided; and an example is shown at Clynnog of a form whereby a good hold can be taken of the neck, whilst a strong pair of hands could speedily help the offenders to the outside of the door.

In 1857, as recorded in the panel over the west door of the chapel, an extensive restoration took place under the direction of the Diocesan Surveyor, Mr. Henry Kennedy, of Bangor, and it is said that no less a sum than £9,000 was then spent over the fabric and its contents. More

Sketch Section of Mazer

than forty years have passed since this event, and the work, which was then new, has by this time blended with the old; but it is still apparent that much of the stonework to the windows and doors, and also the roofs and floors and glass, and many other works, were then renewed so that to a great extent the church of to-day is not-in its details at least-the original building, and the student of the structure has to be careful to discriminate between the real and restored workmanship. As an example on this head, it may be noted that the chancel stalls and their carvings are for the most part original, and therefore in every sense genuine in style and character; but, on the other hand, much of the work of