Imatges de pàgina
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Oswestry was formerly surrounded by walls, which, together with its four gates, were all taken down about 1782. Of its castle, which appears to have been erected in the reign of King Stephen, the only portion existing is on a lofty artificial mount at the west end of the town, commanding a rich and extensive prospect. Oswestry has two churches (one a venerable building, its tower covered with ivy,) a free grammar school, a town hall, a theatre, several meeting houses, and charitable institutions. It formerly carried on a considerable trade in Welsh woollens. Pop. 1851, 4817.

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Chirk, a populous village, celebrated for the beauty of the surrounding scenery. The church contains a number of ancient monuments of the Myddelton family; and in the churchyard are several aged yews. In 1165, Chirk was the scene of a severe contest between the English and the Welsh. About two miles distant, on the road to Ruabon, is a landscape of remarkable beauty.

To the left is Chirk Castle, (R. Myddelton Biddulph, Esq.), an ancient and noble castellated mansion, situated on an eminence, which commands a prospect, it is said, into 17 counties. About three miles beyond Chirk is the aqueduct of the Ellesmere canal, constructed by Mr Telford, in 1805. It consists of 19 stone arches, supporting an iron trough, 1007 feet long, and is a wonderful effort of ingenious contrivance.

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and Lady Penrhyn. On the left is a celebrated slate quarry, of immense extent. A railroad, constructed at the expense of L.170,000, leads from the mountain to Port Penrhyn, from which between 500 and 600 tons are shipped every week. On the right is Penrhyn Castle, (Hon. E. G. Douglas Pennant), an elegant mansion built in the reign of Henry VI., on the site of an ancient palace belonging to Roderick Molwynog, grandson to Cadwallader, the last King of the Britons. It has lately been improved by Wyatt, and is surrounded by beautiful grounds. In this castle is preserved an elegant specimen of the Hirlas, or ancient drinking horn.

BANGOR, a neatly-built city, lying in a narrow valley between two ridges of rock, with the beautiful bay of Beaumaris to the north. It possesses a cathedral, containing monuments of several Welsh princes, &c.; a Bishop's palace, the residence of the Bishop of Bangor, a free grammar school, and several charitable institutions. The surrounding scenery is peculiarly magnificent. Pop. of bor. 1851, 6338. On a rocky eminencem. east of Bangor, formerly stood a castle, built by Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, during the reign of William II. Beaumaris is distant 4 miles. Bangor is one of the Carnarvon district of burghs.

Menai Bridge. The foundation of the Bridge over the Menai Strait was laid August 10, 1819, by Mr Telford, engineer. It was opened January 30, 1826. The height of the roadway above the surface of high water is 100 feet. The main opening of the bridge is 560 feet between the points of supension, and the roadway is 30 feet in breadth. South of this is another and more stupendous work, the Britannia tubular bridge, which conveys the railway from Caernarvonshire to Anglesea. (See account of it, p. 250). There is frequent steam communication during the summer months between Menai Bridge, Bangor, Beaumaris, and Liverpool. From Menai Bridge an entirely new road has been made through the Island of Anglesea, crossing the main ridge at 160 feet below the level of the old road. It is broad, smooth, and well-paved; and, by crossing the Stanley Sands, the circuity by the Four-mile-bridge is avoided, and the line to Holyhead rendered very direct.

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RAILWAY, 61 Miles.

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LXXVIII. DOVER AND FOLKESTONE TO READING AND BRISTOL, BY RAILWAY, 1951 Miles.

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