128 Transactions. 
were made by Mr Repp to mean that “a baptismal font with 
ornaments of eleven pounds weight was offered by authority of 
the Therfusian fathers for the devastation of the fields, and 
thirteen cows as an expiation for an injury.” From other parts 
of the inscription he supplied the names of the devastated locality, 
“the dale of Ashlafr,” a place that had no more historical exist- 
ence than its holy conservators, the Therfusian fathers! The next 
scholar who attempted to unravel the inscription was the learned 
Professor Fin Magnusen, author of numerous works bearing on 
the language and literature of the Scandinavian peoples, but 
wholly unqualified to deal with an inscription of this kind in a 
language of which he was ignorant. Nevertheless he attempted 
it, and his paper may be found spread over 108 closely printed 
pages of the “ Report addressed by the Royal Society of Northern 
Antiquaries to its British and American Members.” He agreed 
with Mr Repp in regarding the language as a mixture of Icelandic 
and Anglo-Saxon, but differed toto clo from him in his transla- 
tion. He based his reading.on a wonderful engraving which he 
designates the “ Thorkelin Engraving,” and which turns out to 
be nothing more than the plate engraved by the Scottish artist, 
Adam de Cardonnel, for the ‘“ Vetusta Monumenta,” a work 
published by the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1789, 
The words ‘“ Cadmon me fceuotho,” Prof. Magnusen transformed 
into “ Offa, Voden’s Kinsman,” and gives us (p. 149 of Report) 
his genealogy “according to the younger Edda.” His translation 
is as follows:—‘I, Offa, Voden’s kinsman, transfer to Eska’s 
descendant, to you two the property, field, meadow give we 
Ashlof! The words of the noble I below make known. To 
Erinc young promised she riches, estates good, I for the marriage 
feast prepare in the meantime. ‘ Received he now,’—the noble 
spoke,—‘ the gift, and aye preside in the hall over the guests ! 
I have magnanimity, I bring rings (riches) . . . These three 
when to all 
we gave all that they owned—the married pair; At their home, 
estates Erincred possesses. Christ was among 
the rich woman’s, you were a guest, their down-dwelling — — 
Give every — — The advice is willing («.e., willingly given), 
Back spoliation, if yet living on earth! Well the Etheling 
possesses now me this property. Saw I us my Son! Every 
where again rule Matters were in this condition when in 1838 
the attention of Mr J. M. Kemble, a distinguished Anglo-Saxon 
scholar, having been turned to its decipherment, the true meaning 
1? 
