Thursday, 19th August, to Wednesday, 25th August.

British Archaeological Association.

CONGRESS AT CONWAY, 1897.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE.

Y the cordial invitation of the Mayor and Corporation of

BY

Conway, the Fifty-fourth Annual Congress of the Association will be held in that town, under the distinguished presidency of the Right Hon. Lord Mostyn, in August, or early in September next; the exact date of the meeting will be announced as soon as it is fixed by the President and the municipal authorities.

There is no more attractive part of the ancient land of the Cymrri than the district of North Wales in which the old town of Aber-Conway is situated: it abounds with picturesque ruins, and the finest mountain scenery of the Principality is in the immediate neighbourhood.

The whole district is also rich in objects of archæological and historical importance.

Amongst many places within easy distance of Conway, which may be visited during the Congress, the following deserve mention: viz., the castles of Beaumaris in Anglesey, Carnarvon, Criccieth, Denbigh, Dolbadarn, Harlech and Rhuddlan; and Conway Castle itself is one of the grandest examples of medieval military architecture to be seen in Britain. The cathedrals of Bangor and St. Asaph, the episcopal palace at Bangor; the famous collegiate church of Clynnog, once part of the monastery of St. Beuno, containing a fine rood screen and other antiquities; the churches of Llanrwst and Llandegai; the ruins of Basingwerk Abbey, near Holywell in Flintshire; and the old houses of

Gloddaeth (date 1584) and Gwydir. In prehistoric relics and Druidical cromlechs the vicinity of Conway is abundantly rich. There are also many remains of Roman occupation. In Conway, in addition to the remains of the historic castle, the town walls. and gateways, are to be seen the surviving parts of the Cistercian Abbey founded by Llewelyn-ap-Iorwerth in 1185; the parish church, with many monuments; and, of domestic architecture, the famous "Plas Mawr", the Great Mansion, a fine specimen of the period of Elizabeth. With such an abundant field of archæological research, in a country so full of beauty and romantic associations, it is hoped that the Congress may be largely attended by the members of the Association. It is intended, so far as may be possible, to devote a more considerable portion of the available time each day to the particular features of the day's programme than heretofore; and, as the railway is convenient for reaching most of the places already mentioned, it is hoped this may be able to be accomplished without difficulty. For those members who propose to extend the period of their vacation, the charming watering places of Llandudno, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay are only a few miles distant from Conway; and a closing trip to Ireland will be by no means impossible.

GEO. PATRICK, A.R.I.B.A.,

Hon. Sec.

FIRST EDITION UNDER REVISION.

British Archaeological Association.

FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL CONGRESS,

AT CONWAY, 1897.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19TH, TO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25TH.

PRESIDENT.

THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD MOSTYN.

VICE-PRESIDENTS.

With power to add to their number.

Hon. Treasurer-THOMAS BLASHILL, ESQ.

Vice-Treasurer-S. RAYSON, ESQ., 32, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, W.

Hon. Secretaries

GEORGE PATRICK, ESQ., A.R.I.B.A., 16, Red Lion Square, W.C. REV. H. J. DUKINFIELD ASTLEY, M. A., East Rudham, Swaffham, Norfolk. Auditors-CECIL DAVIS, ESQ. and C. J. WILLIAMS, ESQ.

British Archaeological Association.

CONWAY CONGRESS.

PROPOSED PROGRAMME.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19th.

The Members and Visitors who have provided themselves with Congress Tickets beforehand will assemble at the Guildhall, where the Reception by the Mayor and Corporation will take place, and an Inaugural Address will be delivered by the President, the Lord Mostyn. A Visit will be paid to the Ancient Castle and Town Walls, under the guidance of Mr. T. B. FARRINGTON, local Hon. Sec., and a short description of the Castle, &c., will be given. The party will next proceed to inspect the Parish Church, and the fine old mansion Plas Mawr, now occupied by the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art. The remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Conway will be visited if time permits. Dinner at the "Castle Hotel," at 6.30 o'clock. A Conversazione will be given at 8.30 by the Mayor of Conway, at Plas Mawr, kindly lent for the occasion by the Royal Cambrian Academy.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20th.

Members and Visitors will leave by train for St. Asaph, and on arrival will at once proceed to the Cathedral, which will be inspected (probably) under the guidance of the Very Reverend the Dean. The famous caves will be visited, and the party will then proceed to Rhuddlan, where luncheon will be partaken of at the "Blackamore's Head," at 1.30. Afterwards Rhuddlan Castle will be visited and described, and its history related by Mr. C. H. COMPTON, V.P. Conway will be reached in time for dinner at the "Castle Hotel" at 6.30. Evening Meeting for Reading of Papers at the Guildhall.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21st.

Members and Visitors will leave Conway by train for Carnarvon, and on arrival will proceed to the Castle, which will be described by SIR LLEWELYN TURNER. After luncheon (provided by the kindness of Sir L. Turner), the ancient Collegiate Church of Clynnog will be visited and described by Mr. CHAS. LYNAM, F.S.A. The train will be taken at Pen-y-groes station for the return to Conway, in time for dinner at the "Castle Hotel," at 6.30. Evening Meeting for Reading Papers at the Guildhall.

MONDAY, AUGUST 23rd.

Members and Visitors will leave Conway by train for Bangor, and on arrival will proceed to the Cathedral, which will be inspected and described (probably) under the guidance of the Very Reverend the Dean. The remains of the ancient Castle and British Encampment will be visited. The party will cross by the ferry from Bangor to Beaumaris, and luncheon will be taken at the " Bulkeley Arms Hotel." After luncheon the party will assemble at the ancient Castle, which will be described. The party will return to Bangor by the ferry, and take the train to Conway. Dinner at the "Castle Hotel," at 6.30. Evening Meeting for Reading of Papers, &c., at the Guildhall.