This I saw under the guidance of a young Welshman, who 
enlivened the way in not very successful instruction in his 
language, especially in the Welsh Shibboleth. As usual in 
these localities, refreshed by the breezy air and beautiful views 
— for the builders of these circles had a fine appreciation of 
the best points in the country for extensive views — I examined 
the Meini Hirion and the stones which lie to the east, which 
perhaps formed a ~kist vaen for the mystical purification of the 
worshippers of Ceridwen. 
MEINI HIRION, WITH GREAT ORME’s HEAD IN THE DISTANCE. 
Whatever glory the sanctuary once had is departed, and it 
always must have been a very poor affair compared with 
Stonehenge or Avebury. On my second visit I made a 
sketch of two of the stones, but could not find any evidence 
of the number of which it once consisted — probably nineteen, 
or the metonic cycle. Twelve, our author says, are now stand- 
ing. Since then the number has apparently diminished. I 
noticed one which bore the marks of blasting lying near, 
which a farmer had turned to his own purposes. 
All I could discover in that and in a subsequent visit was 
that it presented a beautiful site for an observatory of the 
heavenly bodies. I cannot venture into the question between 
