Part 22

_Polypodium phegopteris_—Craigforda. _Aspidium oreopteris_—Ditto. _Grammitis ceterach_—Crickheath Hill and Treflach Hill, above Porthywaen and Blodwel rocks _Cystea dentata_—On the loose heap of stones below the Tower at Pentregaer; also upon a high wall, at the back of the house, at Broom Hall. _Hymenophyllum Wilsoni_—Upon a rock in a wood at Treflach. _Osmunda regalis_—Maesbury. _Botrychium lunaria_—In the 1st park at Llanforda; and on the brow of the hill between the tower at Pentregaer and Craig-y-Rhu. _Ophioglossum vulgatum_—Fields about Llanforda and Llwynymaen. _Equisetum limosum_—Morda. ,, _fluviatile_—Maesbury.

MUSCI.

_Dicranum bryoides_—Broom Hall lane. _Bryum palustre_—Above Morda pool. ,, _roseum_—Wet and shady lanes in the upper part of the Parish. ,, _ligulatum_—Ditto.

LICHENES.

_Calicium furfuraceum_ (_Coniocybe Fries_)—Upon the hedge bank of the Vicar’s field on Cyrn-y-bwch. _Opegrapha chevallieri_—Craigforda. ,, _saxatilis_—Ditto. _Lecanactis lyncea_—Llanforda. _Sphærophoron coralloides_—Craigforda. ,, _b. cæspitosum_—Ditto. _Endocarpon miniatum_—Ditto. ,, _læte-virens_—Mynydd-y-myfyr. ,, _rufo-virescens_—Craigforda. _Verrucaria plumbea_—Pentregaer, and Craig-y-Rhu. ,, _gemmifera_—Craigforda. ,, _umbrosa_—Ditto. ,, _codonoidea_—Craig-y-Rhu. ,, _immersa_—Craigforda. ,, _epipolœa_—Treflach, Trefonen, and Craig-y-Rhu. _Pyrenothea leucocephala_—Park Sychant. _Variolaria conspurcata_—Limestone rocks, Craig-y-Rhu. ,, _globulifera_—Upon an old ash tree at Craig-y-Rhu. _Urceolaria calcarea_—Limestone rocks, Pentregaer. _Lecidea morio_—Upon the loose stones under the Tower at Pentregaer. ,, _lapicida_—Mynydd-y-myfyr. ,, _premnea_—Upon an old oak in Middleton lane. _Lecidea griffithsia_—Treflach, near Woodhill ,, _aromatica_—Wall in Llanforda lane, just under the house. ,, _enteroleuca_—The saxicolar form—same habitat as above. ,, _synothea_—Upon an old gate-post near Treflach Hall. ,, _immersa_—Limestone rocks, Pentregaer. ,, _pruinosa_—Wall in the lane below the house at Llanforda. ,, _speirea_—Limestone rocks, Pentregaer. ,, _incompta_—Elm-trees in the Church-yard at Oswestry; and upon a wych elm at the Hayes. ,, _canescens_—Occasionally found about Oswestry; but not common. ,, _quernea_—Pentreshanel and Llanforda. ,, _œruginosa_—Upon an old gate-post, Treflach Hall. ,, _quadricolor_—Mynydd-y-Myfyr. ,, _rupestris_—Limestone rocks, Moelydd, &c. ,, _pineti_—Llanforda (scarce). ,, _lutea_—Llanforda. ,, _polytropa_—Mynydd-y-myfyr. ,, _lucida_—Pentreshanel, and other places. ,, _erythrella_—Llanforda. ,, _cœruleo_—_nigricans_—Moelydd. _Lecanora rubra_—Craig-y-Rhu (very scarce). ,, _hæmatomma_—Craigforda. ,, _crassa_—Moelydd and Craig-y-Rhu. ,, _candicans_—Pentregaer. ,, _repanda_—Pentregaer. _Parmelia glomulifera_—Upon a single tree in Llanforda (2nd Park). ,, _Borreri_—Upon oak trees opposite to the house at Woodhill. ,, _conspersa_—Craigforda. ,, _pityrea_—Upon a decayed oak near Old Port; and upon trees opposite to the house at Trafalgar. ,, _aquila_—Mynydd-y-myfyr, upon a single isolated piece of rock on the south end of the hill. This is a very unusual habitat for this plant, which is usually a marine lichen. ,, _cæsia_—In fruit; but rarely at Pentregaer and other places. _Sticta pulmonaria_—Pentregaer. _Collema fragrans_—Llanforda and Pentregaer. ,, _ceranoides_—Llanforda and Pentregaer. ,, _multipartitum_—Moelydd. ,, _marginale_—Pentregaer. ,, _tunœforme_—Pentregaer. ,, _dermatinum_—Pentregaer. ,, _muscicola_—Pentreshanel. _Peltidea scutata_—In fruit upon ash trees at Pentregaer. _Peltidea aphthosa_—Craigforda; at the bottom of the wood a little above the brook (scarce). ,, _spuria_—Upon a hedge bank, near Aston. _Gyrophora polyphylla_—Mynydd-y-myfyr (scarce). _Borrera furfuracea_—Mynydd-y-myfyr. _Cenomyce cæspititia_—Craigforda. _Cornicularia aculeata_—Craigforda.

CHARACCÆ.

_Chara hispida_—Ditches above Morda Pool.

ALGÆ.

_Ulva calophylla_—Walls of Oswestry church; east end and lower part of the wall in the great walk; but not found every year. ,, _crispa_—Oswestry church-yard; and other places about the town. _Lemania fluviatilis_—In the Morda. _Zygnema nitidum_—In the lane by the cottage at Porkington. _Batrachospermum moniliforme_—In the well at Pen-y-lan; and in other places near the Morda. _Draparnaldia plumosa_—In the Morda, below Penylan bridge. _Meloseira varians_—In the Morda, below Craigforda, and below Penylan bridge. _Fragilaria hyemalis_—In the Morda, below Craigforda. _Diatoma vulgare_—In the Morda. ,, _flocculosum_—In the pool, in the wood, at Llanforda. _Meridion circulare_—In the well at Penylan; and in a ditch near the Morda, above Morda pool. _Cymbella minor_—Penylan mill.

FUNGI.

_Agaricus rubescens_—In the shrubbery at Porkington. ,, _cristatus_—Craigforda. ,, _phyllophilus_—Craigforda. ,, _laccatus_—_b. amethystinus_—Craigforda. ,, _clavus_—Blodwel woods. ,, _galericulatus_—Llanforda. ,, _stellatus_—Llanforda (rare). ,, _disseminatus_—Near the Lawnt. _Cantharellus cibarius_—By the lower pool, at Porkington. _Dædalea betulina_—In a timber yard at Oswestry. _Polyporus sulphureus_—On the yew trees in the church-yard, at Oswestry; but not found every year. ,, _salicinus_—On stumps of trees, near Penylan mill. _Polyporus abietinus_—On fir poles at Treflach. ,, _scoticus_—Llanforda, in the wood above the garden. ,, _incarnatus_—Upon broom by the pool in the wood, at Llanforda. _Fistulina hepatica_—Upon a Pollard oak, at Penylan. _Thelephora purpurea_—Llanforda. _Thelephora quercina_—Llanforda. ,, _lactescens_—Llanforda ,, _incrustans_—Upon an old felled trunk below Penylan Bridge. ,, _incarnata_—On laburnum in the wood, by the pool at Llanforda. _Clavaria rugosa_—Llanforda. _Peziza reticulata_—Penylan. ,, _aurantia_—Upon the stump of a tree near Trafalgar. ,, _humosa_—Upon an old mossy trunk at Llynclys pool. ,, _anomala_—Llanforda. ,, _cyathoidea_—On stems of herbaceous plants, Oswestry. ,, _cinerea_—On fallen branches, Oswestry. _Bulgaria sarcoides_—On an old stump at Llanforda. _Exidia glandulosa_—Llanforda. _Næmatelia encephala_—On larch and fir rails in Llanforda park (scarce). _Sclerotium scutellatum_—On oak leaves at Llanforda. _Phallus caninus_—On an old stump by the pool, in the wood, at Llanforda (scarce). _Sphæria concentrica_—Upon an old ash tree at Maesbury. ,, _multiformis_—On rails in Llanforda (first park), and at Craigforda. ,, _nummularia_—Upon an ash tree near Penylan bridge. ,, _lata_—On dry wood near Penylan mill. ,, _leiphæmia_—On dead oak branches, Oswestry. ,, _laburni_—On laburnum, Oswestry. ,, _cupularis_—On lime branches, Oswestry. ,, _elongata_—On broom, Llanforda. ,, _yuccæ_—On yucca glancescens, Oswestry. ,, _sanguinea_—On timber, at Llanforda. ,, _moriformis_—On an old tree under the Blodwel rocks. ,, _pulvis-pyrius_—Llanforda. ,, _eutypa_—On a dead tree near Llwynymaen. _Phacidium patella_—About Oswestry. _Scleroderma vulgare_—Woods at Llanforda and Porkington. _Lycogala epidendrum_—Llanforda. _Reticularia umbrina_—On a decayed larch pole, Oswestry. _Trichia fallax_—Llanforda. ,, _clavata_—Llanforda. ,, _turbinata_—Llanforda. _Trichoderma viride_—On fallen trees, Oswestry. _Tubercularia granulata_—On lime branches, Oswestry. _Torula antennata_—On fallen timber, Llanforda. _Puccinia saxifragarum_—On adoxa moschatellina; lanes about Oswestry. _Æcidium violæ_—Mynydd-y-myfyr. _Uredo scillarum_—Llanforda.

Geology, &c.

The town of Oswestry is situated upon and near the southern termination of the North Wales Coal Field, which extends a little farther south of the town, and, north-west, through Ruabon, Brymbo, Flint, Mostyn, and on to the sea, near the Great Ormshead. Running parallel, and lying at the back, or to the west of these coal-measures, is the great belt of mountain limestone, commencing at Llanymynech Hill, and extending also, north-westerly, to the Ormshead, and from thence dipping into the sea.

The metalliferous character of the district is distinguished for the production of lead, copper, and zinc. Trials have been made for minerals at Treflach Wood, and portions of carbonate and sulphuret of copper, of average qualities, have been found, but not in sufficient quantities to justify extended operations. At Llanymynech Hill both copper and lead, sulphurets and carbonates, with carbonate of zinc, or calamine, have been raised in large quantities by various companies, and occasionally the ores have reached a high per centage, ranging from five to twenty-five per cent. The ores are found in beds or flats, at from thirty to fifty yards from the surface, and lying between, and running parallel with, the strata of limestone that inclose them. It is an extraordinary fact, that the metalliferous belt of limestone abruptly terminates at the south end of the hill, and cannot be traced farther. Proceeding west, at the back of Oswestry, in Treflach Wood, there are some fine beds of Derbyshire marble or entrochal limestone, that have been worked for mantle-pieces and other ornamental purposes.

Trials have been made, and small quantities of lead and copper found in this limestone belt, extending to Minera, including the Eglwyseg range which bounds a portion of the Vale of Llangollen, near to Ruabon.

The Minera district is too well known for its rich mineral products, especially of lead and zinc, to require particular notice, and the same may be said of the Mold, Halkin, and Holywell mineral formation, passing on with continued fine mineral deposits, to Talargoch, near Prestatyn, in Flintshire.

The coal-measures in the district of Oswestry abound in fossils, _Lepidodendrons_, _Sigillaria_, _Stigmaria_, and _Calamites_, &c.; and the carboniferous limestone is much more prolific of that class of fossiliferous productions which usually accompany the old mountain limestone.

The application of capital and scientific labour to mining operations, during the last ten years, has given to the district an active and business-like character, and brought with it a large increase to the working population. At Llanymynech Hill, in addition to mining operations, there are annually raised about 60,000 tons of limestone, which is chiefly used for farming purposes in Montgomeryshire and Shropshire. At Porth-y-Waen rocks, in the same range, there is nearly the same quantity of limestone raised. The united quantities hewn and blasted from these vast limestone rocks produce about 70,000 tons of burnt lime, thus showing the extended use now made of limestone in the cultivation of farm lands in the immediate district.

The manufacture of iron is most extensively carried on in Ruabon parish, principally by the New British Iron Company, the quantity of good bar iron made amounting on the average to 350 tons per week. These works give employment to about 2,500 people, men and boys. The Company works its own collieries, and consumes nearly all the coal its numerous pits produce. In the same parish there are two extensive manufactories, for the conversion of the ores of calamine and black jack (carbonate and sulphuret of zinc) into zinc or spelter, and at each of these places from twenty to thirty tons of these metals are made.

The coals raised from the coal-fields in and around Oswestry, worked by Messrs. Croxon and others, amount to about 40,000 tons per annum; whilst nearly 250,000 tons are raised in the Ruabon district, and a much larger quantity at Brymbo.

At Minera a powerful Company is actively engaged in working the old mines that produced so much ore during the former operations upon them. These mines were closed from the influx of water, and the inadequacy of the machinery then employed to carry it off. The present Company have, with an enterprising spirit, adopted the highest class of machinery, and employed the best mining talent that could be procured. By these means, which have called forth the application of at least £50,000 to this gigantic undertaking, the Company has fortunately succeeded in discovering rich veins of lead-ore, which produce from 100 to 150 tons per month. Other mining companies are also largely engaged in the district, some of which are producing large quantities of lead-ore.

Biography.

OSWESTRY, although not the birth-place of many distinguished men, has amongst its present population some “choice spirits,” men born not, perhaps, to wield “the fierce democracy,” or to attract the nation’s glare by the display of brilliant talents, yet who possess the happy art of imparting sterling benefits to their fellow-men, and scattering blessings all around them. We could point to gentlemen, still honourably connected with the borough, whose good names must be well-deserved, because they have been earned among their fellow-citizens. The borough has nevertheless extended education to several eminent characters, and been the chosen residence of many others. The names of Kenyon, Charles W. W. Wynn, West, Parker, Longueville, Lloyd, Donne, and Dovaston, are still cherished with grateful recollections, their talents and labours having been ably exercised for the social benefit and intellectual advancement of the town.

We subjoin a few sketches of worthies that did the “State some service,” and whose connection with Oswestry claims for them a notice in these pages:—

DR. THOMAS BRAY, an eminently pious and learned divine of the 17th century, was educated in Oswestry. He was afterwards entered of Hart Hall, Oxford, took his degree of Master of Arts there, was chosen by Dr. Compton, Bishop of London, to model the infant church at Maryland, and afterwards took the degree of Doctor in Divinity. He returned from Maryland, after a long and useful residence there, and rendered immense service to the cause of foreign missions, by his numerous publications and remarkable personal exertions. He closed a useful life in 1730, having reached the age of seventy-three years. He was born at Marton, in Salop.

JOHN FREEMAN MILWARD DOVASTON, M.A.—The death of this sweet poet, accomplished musician, and profound naturalist, occurred in August, 1854. Mr. Dovaston was not a native of Oswestry, but his birth-place (Westfelton) being so near to the borough, and his social connexion with it so constant and intimate during the whole of his life, that he may fairly be ranked among the celebrities of the town. He was the only son of John Dovaston, Esq., of “The Nursery,” at Westfelton, a man also of great natural talents, and who was distinguished for his science, learning and ingenuity. The subject of our present notice was educated for the Bar, but having a dislike for the profession, and possessing an ample property left by his father, he preferred a life of literary leisure, amid the charming scenery in his neighbourhood, to the wordy war and the feverish excitement of forensic ambition. In his sylvan retreat he sought amusement and instruction from the glories of nature so profusely scattered around him, and with the pure taste of the poet and philosopher, found

“Sermons in stones, Tongues in trees, books in running brooks, And good in every thing.”

In early life he published a volume entitled “Fitz-Gwarine and other poems,” to which he made considerable additions in later years. He also published an able discourse on Natural History, and contributed two lectures on Music and National Melody. He was the author of a most interesting sketch of Bewick, the clever wood-engraver, whom Mr. Dovaston styled “the celebrated xyographer and illustrator of nature;” wrote several prologues and epilogues to histrionic performances for charitable purposes; and employed his graceful pen so long as Providence gave him mental and bodily strength. For several years, however, he was confined to his bed, and died at the age of 72 years. His education was commenced at Oswestry Free Grammar School, to which Institution he reverts, in the pride of his manhood and the fervent inspiration of the poet; and subsequently he was removed to Shrewsbury School, where he remained for some years, under the able tuition of Dr. Butler, afterwards Bishop of Lichfield. Mr. Dovaston’s poetic genius led him almost entirely into the realms of nature. His ardent fancy revelled amid flowers and trees, murmuring rivulets and mountain torrents, or roamed among “boxen bowers” and greenwood shades, where no sounds are heard but the drowsy hum of bees, the joyous notes of the mavis or the lark, or the plaintive warblings of his “bonny robin.” His metrical romance of “Fitz-Gwarine” gives evidence of high descriptive power; and his Ballad, entitled “Bala Water,” will bear comparison with the best stanzas of Scott. His works will live in the district in which they were written, comprising as they do so many local allusions; but had his muse soared to loftier themes, he would, in all probability, have transmitted to posterity a name which the lovers of song throughout the land would have delighted to honour. Never having been married, he left a considerable property, which is now in the possession of his relation, John Dovaston, Esq.

GUTO (Y GLYN,) or _Griffith_, of _Glyn_, having been elected a burgess of Oswestry, is entitled from that distinction, as well as from his genius as a poet, to a brief notice. We have already quoted from his quaint description of Oswestry, but we shall now give it entire, as it was this production of his muse that procured for him the honour of enrolment as a burgess of the town. He was a native of Llangollen, and domestic bard to the Abbot of Llanegwestl, or Valle Crucis, near that town, to whom several of his poems are addressed. He is represented as witty and social, and was an acceptable guest at the halls of the Welsh nobility and gentry in his triennial visitations through the Principality. His gentle muse must have been more than ordinarily gracious when he poured forth such mellifluous strains as the following, in honour of Oswestry:—

“Oswestry is the liberal, the best endowed of cities; The beloved of heaven that draws me to it. _Oswestry_ the strong fort of conquerors; the _London_ of Powys; Where the houses are well stored with wine, and the land is rich. Its school is celebrated, and its city for preachers and men of science. GOD is present in its beautiful temple— A church adorned with rich chalices, And with bells and a rich-toned organ. No better choir is there from it to Canterbury: None in which there is correcter singing, Or the habilments more suitable. To _White Minster_ I know no convent superior. The handsomest and best-dressed women are those of Oswestry. It resembles Cheapside in merchandize, And its people are honest and unanimous. GOD’S grace be with the city, and those that dwell therein; May GOD be its guardian and kind preserver.”

HUMPHREY HUMPHREYS, D.D., an eminent prelate, born November 24th, 1648, was for some years placed at the Free School of Oswestry, under the care of his uncle, Humphrey Wynn, A.M., who was master of the school and vicar of the parish. Bishop Humphreys was an able Welsh antiquary, and wrote some memoirs of eminent Welshmen, in addition to those contained in Wood’s _Athenæ Oxonienses_, printed in the last edition of that work, and in the first volume of the _Cambrian Register_. “He was a person of excellent virtues during the whole course of his life, and in his latter years of a piety so extraordinary, as has but few examples.”

THOMAS JONES, son of John Williams, was born in Oswestry, and distinguished himself as an able defender of the Protestant faith. Having received his early education in his native town, he was entered at Jesus College, Oxford, at the commencement of the rebellion, but he left the University soon after, and returned when Oxford was surrendered to the Parliament, in 1646. He became Fellow of University College, by authority, of the parliamentary visitors, in 1648, and was remarkably zealous in the republican cause. He took the degree of M.A. in the year following, and in 1655 became rector of Castell Caerinion, in Montgomeryshire, where he acquired a knowledge of the Welsh language, to serve those parts where the orthodox clergy were rejected. His subsequent life was marked by strong zeal against papacy, and in an action for slander brought against him by Dr. Morley, Bishop of Winchester, whom he charged as a promoter of popery, he was fined £300, and the rectory of Llandyrnog, to which he had been appointed, was sequestered for the payment of it. He continued this severe course of polemic warfare, and published several other works, amongst which, in 1682, “Elymas the Sorcerer; or a memorial towards the discovery of the bottom of this Popish Plot.” This effusion exposed him to much persecution, and would have subjected him to further punishment, had he not escaped by his decease, which occurred at Totteridge, Herts, in the same year.