in Glamorganshire, at the head of the vale of Taff, celebrated for its rich and thick veins of coal, as well as for its romantic beauty. Merthyr Tydvil is famous for the number and extent of its iron works, the most remarkable of which are those of Dowlais and Cyfartha, the former belonging to Sir John Guest and Co., the latter to the Messrs Crawshay. Near Merthyr Tydvil is Dowlais House, the seat of Sir I. B. Guest, Bart. The trade of this town has been greatly benefited by the construction of both a canal and a railway to the seaport of Cardiff, distant about 24 miles. The Vale of Neath Railway connects Merthyr with Swansea. One M.P. Population of parish 1851, 46,378, and of Parl. Bor. 11,684. About 3 miles north of Merthyr Tydvil are the scanty remains of the ancient castle of Morlais, said to have been the seat of the kings of Brecon. It was demolished by the parliamentary army during the civil wars. |