kind as to give me and my friend a lodging." "What is if you; cousin Proger? You and your friend shall be instantly admitted, but upon one condition, that you will allow, and never hereafter dispute, that I am the head of the family." "What did you say?" returned Mr. Proger. "Why I "Why I say, if you expect to pass the night in my house, you must allow that I am the head of the family." "No, sir, I never would admit that; were it to rain swords and daggers, I would ride this night to Werndee, rather than lower the consequence of my family. Come up, Bald, come up." "Stop a moment, cousin Proger, have you not often confessed that the first earl of Pembroke (of the name of Herbert) was the youngest son of Perthîr, and will you set yourself above the earls of Pembroke?" "True; I must give place to the earl of Pembroke, because he is a peer of the realm; but still, though a peer, he is of the youngest branch of my family, being descended from the fourth son of Werndee, who was your ancestor, and settled at Perthîr; whereas I am descended from the eldest son. Indeed my cousin Jones of Lanarth is of an older branch than you, and yet he never disputes that I am the head of the family." "Why cousin Proger, I have nothing more to say; so good night to you." "Stop a moment, Mr. Powell," said the stranger; " you see how it pours, do admit me at least; I will not dispute with you about our families." "Pray, sir, what is your name, and where do you come from?" "My name is ***, and I come from the county of ***." "A Saxon of course it would be very curious indeed, sir, should I dispute with a Saxon about families; no, sir, you must suffer for the obstinacy of your friend, and so a pleasant ride to you both." P. 316.

The three stones called druidical'--some rude British remains, or rather probably a relic of a later æra, as they are formed of a pudding-stone, which is seldom very durable-and the chalybeate waters, both in the neighbourhood of Trelech, are not peculiarly interesting. This town lay in our author's route from Monmouth to Chepstow.

White-castle, Scenfreth, and Grosmont, once ingulfed in the immense possessions of the house of Lancaster,' 'are now included in one hundred, called the hundred of the three castles, and, of course, are described in the same chapter. These castles are situated in the north-east of the county, bordering on Herefordshire to the north of Landeilo Cresseney, which lies between Monmouth and Abergavenny. The history of these castles is not of great importance. John of Kent, once an inhabitant of this district, and a reputed sorcerer, is said to have done much good service, by means of Satan, whom he at last outwitted. He seems to have been a monk of superior learning and knowledge. We remember, in our own time, to have heard various provincial legends of the Oxford scholars, who were then reputed to be conjurers. The subject of the thirty-fifth chapter is the navigation of the Wye, from Ross to Monmouth; though, strictly speaking, a part of the journey from

Ross to Monmouth is in Herefordshire. The Wye is very ser pentine in its course, so that the distance from Ross to Chepstow, which is only sixteen miles and a half, becomes, in consequence of the circuitous navigation of the river, little short of thirty-eight miles.

The navigation of the Wye has been often described, and we need not extract any part of a subject already so well known. If we select any thing, it shall be what has not been before remarked, or what is here placed in a new light. Nothing of this kind occurs in the navigation from Ross to Monmouth, From the capital to Tintern-abbey, the description is more interesting, as it contains an account of the abbey, illustrated as usual, by sir Richard Hoare's characteristic pencil.

After passing a miserable row of cottages, and forcing our way through a crowd of importunate beggars, we stopped to examine the rich architecture of the west front; but the door being suddenly opened, the inside perspective of the church called forth an instantaneous burst of admiration, and filled me with delight, such as I scarcely ever before experienced on a similar occasion. The eye passes rapidly along a range of elegant gothic pillars, and, glancing under the sublime arches which supported the tower, fixes itself on the splendid relics of the eastern window, the grand termination of the choir.

From the length of the nave, the height of the walls, the aspi ring form of the pointed arches, and the size of the east window, which closes the perspective, the first impressions are those of gran deur and sublimity. But as these emotions subside, and we descend from the contemplation of the whole to the examination of the parts, we are no less struck with the regularity of the plan, the lightness of the architecture, and the delicacy of the ornaments; we feel that elegance is its characteristic no less than grandeur, and that the whole is a combination of the beautiful and the sublime.

This church was constructed in the shape of a cathedral, and is an excellent specimen of gothic architecture in its greatest purity, The roof is fallen in, and the whole ruin open to the sky, but the shell is entire; all the pillars are standing, except those which divided the nave from the northern aisle, and their situation is marked by the remains of the bases. The four lofty arches which supported the tower spring high in the air, reduced to narrow rims of stone, yet still preserving their original form. The arches and pillars of the choir and transept are complete; the shapes of all the windows may be still discriminated, and the frame of the west window is in perfect preservation; the design of the tracery is extremely elegant, and, when decorated with painted glass, must have pro duced a fine effect. Critics who censure this window as too broad or its height, do not consider that it was not intended for a particular object, but to harmonise with the general plan; and had the architect diminished the breadth in proportion to the height, the grand effect of the perspective would have been considerably lessened.

The general form of the east window is entire, but the frame is much dilapidated; it occupies the whole breadth of the choir, and is divided into two large and equal compartments, by a slender shaft not less than fifty feet in height, which has an appearance of singular lightness, and, in particular points of view, seems suspended in the

air.

• Nature has added her ornaments to the decorations of art; some of the windows are wholly obscured, others partially shaded with tufts of ivy, or edged with lighter foliage; the tendrils creep along the walls, wind round the pillars, wreath the capitals, or, hanging down in clusters, obscure the space beneath.

Instead of dilapidated fragments overspread with weeds and choked with brambles, the floor is covered with a smooth turf, which, by keeping the original level of the church, exhibits the beauty of its proportions, heightens the effect of the grey stone, gives a relief to the clustered pillars, and affords an easy access to every part. Ornamented fragments of the roof, remains of cornices and columns, rich pieces of sculpture, sepulchral stones and mutilated figures of monks and heroes whose ashes repose within these walls, are scattered on the greensward, and contrast present desolation with former splendor.' P. 352.

The Wye assumes a less sinuous course, and the bordering cliffs are less mountainous, till the traveler arrives in the neighbourhood of Piercefield, where the cliffs become bolder, and the sweeps of the river round their base more singularly striking and picturesque. Chepstow-castle crowns the whole.

The town of Chepstow is situated in a spot singularly beautiful and romantic; but it has been often described, as well as its bridge. The tide is said to rise to an extraordinary height: but, in reality, within the memory of man it has not been found greatly to exceed fifty-six feet, which, though considerable, is not unexampled. The amount of the shipping probably exceeds 3500 tons, for it was so much in 1799; but, including repeated voyages, 1200 vessels annually enter and clear the port. The exports are timber, grain, iron, coal, &c. including paper and cider. The imports are what is required for interior consumption and ship-building (timber excepted). In times of peace the foreign trade is said to be considerable.

The castle of Chepstow is described, with a short history of its various proprietors, together with an account of the famous regicide, Harry Marten. It appears that his republican opinions were formed very early, long before the temper of the times permitted their promulgation, and that he died in the same

sentiments.

The last chapter of this work relates to Piercefield, the creation of the famous Valentine Morris, many anecdotes of whom are related, and who finished a varied scene in poverty, after a confinement of seven years in the king's-bench. From the aggravated calamities which befel him-for generosity, care

lessness, and imprudence, were only conspicuous at one period of his life, viz. during his residence at Piercefield-he became insane. His books, and the little gleanings of Mrs. Morris's toilet, had been sold to procure bread! Piercefield has been often described-we will prefer looking at Mr. Morris's benevolence, and conclude our account of this work with an anecdote of a man who deserved a better fate.

The inhabitants of Chepstow idolise his memory, and relate numerous instances of his benevolence with a warmth of affection which borders on enthusiasm ; among others, one which does honour to his feelings should not be omitted.

6

Holding one day a conversation with Mr. Knowles, whom he employed in building the alcove, and from whom I received the anecdote, he made inquiries concerning the family of Walters, and asked if any of them were yet living. Knowles replied, that William, the brother of John who sold the estate, was still alive and in great distress." Bring him to Piercefield," said Mo. ris, " and I will make him welcome." "If you would give him your whole estate he could not walk, he is so much afflicted with the gout in his feet, and earns a precarious livelihood by fishing." "If he cannot then come to me, I will take the first opportunity of calling on

him."

Being some time afterwards engaged with Knowles in forming an opening in the wood, he saw two men in a boat -" Stay here,' he said to Knowles; "I will cross the river in that boat, and examine whether the objects I want to show can be seen from hence." Descending hastily, he hailed the watermen, leaped into the boat, was ferried over, and on his return entered into conversation with the men, and inquired their names and condition. "My name," said one of them, " is *****; I am a native of Chepstow; and that man," pointing to his companion, "is William Walters." '—“ What, Walters of Piercefield?" exclaimed Morris. "Yes, please your honour, I am the brother of John who sold the estate which you now enjoy." Morris made no reply; but giving a gratuity to each of the men, leaped on shore, rapidly ascended the hill, and rejoining Knowles, cried, "I have been talking with Walters;" taking out several guineas, he added,-" carry these to him, and tell him that he shall never want while it is in my power to assist him." Knowles suggested, that as the man was much addicted to liquor, he would render him more service by a weekly allowance. The next market day one of Morris's servants carried to Walters a joint of meat, and a small sum of money, which were continued weekly until his death, Morris defrayed the expenses of his funeral, and his carriage con veyed the corpse to St. Arvan's, where it was interred in the family vault. P. 396.

We have noticed very few of the ornaments of this work; and it would greatly lengthen our article to give even a list of the engravings and plans. They are very numerous, and finished more uniformly than we usually find in similar works. To praise the drawings of sir Richard Hoare would be super

fluous. These are executed with peculiar taste and elegance. The views are fifty-five in number; to which are added eleven portraits, seven plans of towns, sixteen ground-plans of ancient castles and encampments.. The views only, we believe, were drawn by sir Richard Hoare.

Besides additions to some of the articles, the appendix contains

No. 1. Letter from Mr. Owen, author of the Welsh and English Dictionary; containing remarks on the structure of the Welsh language, and on the characteristics of the Gwentian dialect; accompanied with two odes.

No. 2. A paper on the ancient limits of Morgannoc, or Siluria; extracted from the Myvirian Archaeology of Wales, vol. 2.

No. 3. Account of the encampments of Coed y Caerau, Kemeys Folly, Caerlicyn, Gaer Vawr, and Cwrt y Gaer. Addition to

Chapter 5.

No. 4. Abstract of the charter of Newport in the county of Monmouth; referred to in p. 46. Amount of tonnage on the Monmouthshire canal, for one year, commencing September 9, 1798.

No. 5. Constitution of the court of sewers, in the level of Wentloog; referred to in chapter 9. Communicated by the Rev. Mr. Evans.

No. 7. Dissertation on the inscription engraven on a brass plate in the church of Usk, referred to in p. 133; containing explanations. by Dr. Wooton, the Rev. Mr. Evans, vicar of St. Woolos, and a letter on the same subject from Mr. Owen.

No. 8. A true coppie of an antient memorable treatise of record touchinge the progenie & descent of the honourable name and family of the Herberts, by commission from E. 4. an° Dom. 1460; referred to in p. 141.

No. 13. Translation of a grant in the church chest of Lantilio, or Landeilo Bertholly, Monmouthshire; referred to in p. 205.

No. 14. Additions to chapter 30.-Fac-simile of the seal of the abbey of Grace Dieu, mentioned in p. 289.-Account of Caeluch. No. 16. Papers relative to the trade of Chepstow, referred to in p. 360.

No. 17. Omission in chapter 40, concerning the genealogy and arms of the Wood family, p. 397-'

Some antiquities lately discovered at Caerleon are added.

In the first number of the appendix, the remarks on the Welsh language, though short, are very interesting; and the two odes are wild and pleasing. We might have enlarged on these and the second number of this appendix, if the Welsh Archæ ology had not been published.

The subject will however re-attract our attention in its proper place.

The fifth number contains some judicious remarks on the: common etymology. of Caerleon. The latter part of the word is supposed to denote the station of a Roman legion, and leon