I 



NOTES. 



For the inscriptions of early Christian tombs, see Maitland's 

 Church in the Catacombs. 



I 



Page 53, note a. 



" It is a very ancient and general practice in Glamorgan 

 to plant flowers on the graves ; so that many churchyards 

 have something like the splendour of a rich and various 

 parterre. 



" In the Easter-week most generally the graves are newly 

 dressed, and manured with fresh earth, when such flowers or 

 evergreens as may be wanted or wished for are planted. In 

 the Whitsuntide holidays, or rather the preceding week, the 

 graves are again looked after, weeded, and otherwise dressed, 

 or, if necessary, planted again. This work the nearest rela- 

 tions of the deceased always do with their own hands, and 

 never by hired persons. Should a neighbour assist, he or she 

 never takes, never expects, and indeed is never insulted by 

 the offer of any reward, by those who are acquainted with 

 the ancient custom. 



" None ever molest the flowers that grow on graves ; for 

 it is deemed a kind of sacrilege to do so. A relation or friend 

 will occasionally take a pink, if it can be spared, or a sprig 

 of thyme, from the grave of a beloved or respected person, 

 to wear it in remembrance ; but they never take much, lest 

 they should deface the growth on the grave. This custom 

 prevails principally in the most retired villages ; and I have 

 been assured that in such villages where the right of grazing 

 the churchyard has been enforced, the practice has alienated 

 the affections of very great numbers from the clergymen and 

 their churches ; so that many have become dissenters for the 



73 



^^"^^^ 



