Marquess of Bute, and gives him the title of Baron Cardiff, as heir general of Sir Wm. Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, K.G., brother-in-law of Henry VIII. The tower of the church is extremely elegant, but there is nothing in the inside worthy of notice. In this town, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, founded a priory of White Friars und another of Black. By means of railway and canal, iron is brought from the works at Merthyr Tydvil, and sent to English and foreign markets. The numerous improvements on the town and its neighbourhood, particularly the docks commenced by the second Marquess, and opened in 1839, and the railways connecting it with London, have already (1854) wonderfully increased the prosperity of Cardiff. Upwards of 750,000 tons of coals were shipped at Cardiff in 1853. Pop. (1851) 18,351, and now (1854) little less than 24,000. About two miles from Cardiff is Llandaff, now only an inconsiderable village. The only object deserving attention is the ancient cathedral, the remains of which are very beautiful. Within these ruins a new church, in very bad taste, was erected in the eighteenth century. The Bishop's palace was destroyed by Owen Glendower in the reign of Henry IV. Resuming the route-6 miles from Cardiff are the village and church of St. Nicholas; here a road on the left leads to Duffryn House (J. B. Pryce, Esq.) About half-way between these two places are some ancient monuments, supposed to be Druidic. The largest of these is supported by five stones, forming a room 16 feet long, 15 feet wide, and from 4 to 6 feet high, and open toward the south. At the east side are three stones closely set together. The contents of the largest are 824 square feet. Near Duffryn House there is another cromlech, but of dimensions inferior to the former. It is supposed to have received its present name from the Christians having in contempt converted it into a dog kennel. Between Duffryn House and the sea is Wenvoe Castle (R. F. Jenner, Esq.) On regaining the turnpike the beautiful and picturesque grounds of Cottrell (Admiral Sir G. Tyler) next attract attention. Near the gate grows a magnificent Wych-elm, one of the largest in the kingdom. Llantrithyd Park, the beautiful domain of Sir T. D. Aubrey, Bart., abounds in romantic spots. The house is supposed to have been built in the time of Henry VI. The windows are very large, one of them being twelve feet square. The road now enters a down, and a fine prospect opens to view. The town of Cowbridge—at the bottom Llanblecddian, with its hill, church, and castle beyond, and the boldly situated Castle Peniline (John Homfray, Esq.) form a scene of grandeur much admired by travellers. COWBRIDGE, or Port-vaen, is a neat borough and market-town, divided by the river Ddau. It was formerly surrounded by walls, of which one gate, a bold Gothic structure, alone remains. The free grammar school, partly endowed by Sir Leoline Jenkins, a Secretary of State in the reign of Charles II., is in considerable repute. Pop. 1851, 1066. The chapel, which contains several handsome monuments, is singularly constructed, and at a distance appears like an embattled fortress. In a field near it are a large tumulus, and the remains of a Druidic temple. Cowbridge unites with Cardiff and Llantrissant in returning a member to Parliament. At a short distance north-east from Cowbridge is Aberthin, a neat rural village, and near it a large elm-tree, which measures 28 feet in circumference. It is hollow, with an entrance like a Gothic doorway, and capable of containing thirty-six full-grown persons. The

T

route from Cowbridge to Neath frequently passes through rich pastures and meadows, adorned with plantations and villas, hamlets and villages, none of which deserve particular notice. About 6 miles from Cowbridge is Bridgend, a small irregular town on the river Ogmore. The hamlet of Oldcastle stands on one side of the town, and Newcastle on the other. One of the bridges over the river is an elegant structure. The church-yard affords a fine prospect of the surrounding country. Five miles to the south is Ewenny Abbey, (R. T. Turbervill, Esq.) one of the most perfect specimens of the ancient monastery now extant. Its embattled walls and towers seem to have been intended for defence rather than for devotion. The church is of a cruciform shape, very massive, and in the Norman style of architecture. Onwards the well-wooded hill of Margam presents a fine appearance. It is 1099 feet high, and covered from base to summit with magnificent oak trees, the value of which has been estimated at £60,000. It is the property of C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., of Margam Park. Here is a remarkably fine orangery, which, it is said, had this singular origin. A vessel, conveying from Portugal, to Mary, Queen of William III., a present of orange and lemon trees, was stranded, and the cargo became the property of Sir Thomas, afterwards Lord Mansel. The late T. Mansel Talbot, Esq., in 1787, built for their reception 2 superb green-house, 327 feet in length, with a handsome palladian front, adorned with statues, vases, and other antique curiosities. In the pleasure ground adjoining is a bay tree, upwards of 60 feet high, and supposed to be the largest in the world. A little farther is the village of Margam, deligh.ully situated at the verge of the above-mentioned forest, and abounding in monastic antiquities. Here are some very interesting ruins of an abbey, founded by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, in 1147. At the dissolution it was purchased by one of the Mansel family, and is now the property of C. R. M. Talbot, Esq. his representative. While repairing the parish church in 1810 several curious remains were discovered. On the wall of one of the houses, in the village, is a curious ancient cross, and in the adjoining grounds are various monumental stones with inscriptions. On a hill in the neighbourhood, are a large rude stone, 14 feet high, and an entrenched Roman camp. About a mile from Margam was a convent, called Eglwys Nunyd, or Nun's Church, now a farm-house, and near it is a Roman monument 4 feet high. This neighbourhood abounds in coal, iron ore, and limestone. At Aberavon very extensive copper works are carried on. Pop. 1851, 6567. The climate in this part of Wales is very mild. Briton Ferry, on the bank of the river Neath, is surrounded by scenery of remarkable beauty. Near it is Baglan House (H. Gwyn, Esq.) Baglan Hall, the property of Griffith Llewellyn, Esq., commands varied and extensive views of the river and the adjacent surrounding country. The tourist may either cross the ferry, and proceed to Swansea (5 miles), or continue the pleasing route along the bank of the Neath to the town of that name. A broad-gauge railway is now (1853) opened from Neath to Merthyr Tydvil. The Neath canal, 14 miles in extent, terminates at Giant's Grave, where 60,000 tons of coal are shipped annually. Further on there is a single stone monument, called Maen Llythyrog, reckoned one of the remotest relics of antiquity. Gnoll, situated on the summit of a hill, commands a very extensive prospect. Its hanging woods, shady walks, and picturesque cascades,

are much admired. NEATH or Nedd, the Nidum of Antoninus, is seated on the eastern bank of the river Neath. It is one of five contributary boroughs which returns a member to Parliament. The population in 1851 amounted to 5841. It possesses some trade, as a sea-port, in coals, iron, and copper, for which it is considerably indebted to its canal, which communicates between Aberdare and Briton Ferry. Neath Castle is now an inconsiderable ruin. About one mile west of the town are the ruins of the abbey. The site of the refectory, the chapel, the hall, and several other rooms may still be traced. It was established for monks of the Cistertian order by Richard de Granville, an ancestor of the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. In this abbey Edward II. sheltered himself after his escape from Caerphilly Castle, and was recaptured. Near the ruins are some very extensive works for the manufacture of iron and copper. Here are two immense blast furnaces, an iron foundry, and an engine manufactory. From Neath to Brecon is 27 miles, to Merthyr Tydvil about 25. The direct road from Neath to Swansea is 8 miles in length, and by railway they are but 8 miles apart, but there is a very pleasant bridle-road by Briton Ferry.

SWANSEA,

(anciently Aber-tawy), is situated at the confluence of the river Tawe with the Bristol Channel, and near the centre of a beautiful bay. The population in 1851 was 31,461. Swansea is a favourite resort in the summer for bathing. A very flourishing pottery has long been carried on here; also, an iron foundry, roperies, extensive breweries, and much shipbuilding. One mile and a half distant are extensive copper works. At one of them, it is said that not less than 40,000 tons of coal are consumed annually. Swansea is, with the exception of Cardiff, the most considerable sea-port in Wales, and employs much shipping, but has no foreign trade. It is accessible from London by the Great Western Railway to Bristol or Gloucester, and thence by the South Wales Railway. Packets sail regularly to Dublin, Waterford, and Cork; twice or thrice a-week to Ilfracombe; and to Bristol, four times a-week. Swansea Castle, the property of the Duke of Beaufort, was erected A.D. 1099 by Henry de Beaumont, who conquered Gowerland from the Welsh. The habitable parts are now converted into a poor-house and gaol. St. Mary's Church contains some very ancient monuments. St. John's Church was formerly a chapel belonging to the Knights of Jerusalem. As a watering-place this town has the advantage of a fine level sandy shore, and the vicinity affords a great number of agreeable walks and rides. There is a mineral spring here. A large tract of country north of Swansea abounds with coal, and copper-works. From Swansea, an excursion may be made to the district of Gower or Gwyr, the south-west of which is inhabited by a colony of Flemings who settled there in the reign of Henry I. They do not understand the Welsh language, are distinguished by their dialect and provincial dress, and rarely intermarry with the Welsh. The most interesting objects in this district are Oystermouth Castle, five miles from Swansea, a majestic ruin, commanding a delightful prospect, with the Mumbles Point close at hand-the rocky scenery of Caswell Bay-a huge cromlech called King

Arthur's Stone, upon a mountain called Cwm Bryn, near Llanrhidian-the picturesque ruins of Penrice Castle, so called after the family of Penrice, who settled here in the reign of Edward I.-a modern villa, of the same name, the seat of C. R. M. Talbot, Esq.-Oxwich Bay-the neat village of Cheriton-the bold promontory of Wormshead, &c. Boating excursions to Oxwich, Penrice, Wormshead, and other places on the shores of the promontory of Gower, are sometimes undertaken by parties of pleasure from Swansea during the summer months. From Swansea to Pont-ar-Dulais is 9 miles-Neath, 8-Briton Ferry, 5— Cardiff, 39-Caermarthen, 26

The upper road from Swansea to Caermarthen then leads by Melin Cadleg, 3 miles; Corseinon, with its elegant and beautiful churches, 5 miles; (on the right to Neath, 10 miles); Pont-ar-Dulais, 8; Cenbrenlwyd, (Caermarthenshire). 101; Bryn-y-Maen, 11; Llannon, 133; Pontyferem, 17; Llangyndeyrn, 21, The lower road lies through Llanwelly and Kidwelly, 9 miles from Caermarthen. The castle of Kidwelly was formerly of great extent, and to it King John retired when at war with the barons. It is said to have been built soon after the Conquest by William de Londres, a Norman adventurer, (A. D. 1094,) who conquered Glamorganshire. The gateway is very fine, and the whole a magnificent remain. It is now the property of the Earl of Cawdor.

CAERMARTHEN

is one of the most wealthy towns in Wales, elevated above the navigable river Towy. It commands a view of one of the most beautiful vales in the principality. This town was the site of the Roman station Maridunum. Here the Welsh held their parliaments, and established their chancery and exchequer. In the 38th of Henry VIII. it was created a borough. Caermarthen carries on a foreign and considerable coasting trade. The Towy is famed for its salmon. It conveys ships of 250 tons up to the bridge. Here are established the Cambrian and a Cwmreigyddion society. Here also are a handsome town-hall, markethouse, free grammar-school, an institution called the Presbyterian college, several meeting-houses, national, Lancastrian, and Sunday schools. The remains of the castle have been converted into the county gaol. At the west end of the town there is a column to the memory of General Sir T. Picton, who represented the borough in Parliament. The Ivy Bush Inn was once the property of Sir Richard Steele, who was interred in St Peter's Church. In the neighbourhood of this town he wrote the comedy of the Conscious Lovers. The famous magician, Ambrose Merlin, was a native of Caermarthen. Here also was born Lewis Bailey, Bishop of Bangor, and author of the Practice of Piety. Pop. 1851, 10,524. It joins with Llanelly in returning one M.P. About two miles from Caermarthen is an eminence called Merlin's Hill, near the brow of which is Merlin's Chair, where superstition says the famous prophet used to sit when he uttered his prophecies. A number of interesting objects are to be seen on the road from Caermarthen to Llandilo Vawr about 15 miles distant. The first object of notice is Abergwili Palace, the noble mansion of the Bishop of St David's, with its highly ornamented grounds; then Grongaer Hill, the spot to which the poet Dyer has

given so much celebrity. At some distance to the right is Middleton Hall, (E. H. Adams, Esq.), a very splendid mansion. Nearly opposite Rhiw-yr-Adar is Golden Grove, the property of the Earl of Cawdor, inherited from his maternal Ancestors the Vaughans. Beyond this is Dynevor Castle, seated upon a lofty hill clothed with venerable oaks, once the regal seat of the ancient Cambrian monarchs. The last prince who inhabited it was Rhys ap Tew Dwr Mawr, an ancestor of its present possessor, Lord Dynevor. The forces of Henry I. besieged it in 1226, but were defeated with the loss of 2000 men, by Llywelyn Prince of North Wales. Newton Park (Lord Dynevor,) the view from the summit of Golwg-y-byd, the British fortress on the rugged eminence of Careg Cennen, and the ruins of Drŷslwyn Castle will also be found well worthy of attention.

About 12 or 13 miles from Caermarthen are the ruins of Laugharne Castle, built or rebuilt by Sir Guido de Brian in the reign of Henry III. The town of Laugharne is one of the cleanest and best built towns in South Wales. Dean Tucker was a native of this place. The neighbouring heights command grand and extensive sea views. One mile distant is another ruin called Roche's Castle, but supposed to have been a monastery. A few miles from Laugharne is the village of Llanddowror, on the south bank of the Taff; the scenery is highly beautiful. Five miles distant from Laugharne is a place called Green Bridge, consisting of a natural excavation through which runs a small rivulet, and there disappears till it mingles its waters with the ocean.

About 27 miles from Caermarthen is Tenby, a fashionable sea-bathing place, delightfully situated on a rock facing Caermarthen Bay. The shore is well adapted for bathing, and the sands afford delightful promenades. Here are all the usual conveniences and amusements of a watering place. The trade of Tenby consists of coal and culm, and the oyster and trawl fisheries. Here are some remains of a castle supposed to have been erected by the Flemings. The ancient walls of the town are still sufficiently perfect to show its former strength and extent. The religious establishments of the town and suburbs have been numerous. The church is a spacious structure, with a spire 152 feet high; the interior contains some fine old monuments. Many pleasant excursions may be made from Tenby; among others, to the Isle of Caldy, 3 miles from the shore. The tower of its ancient priory is still standing.

About 4 or 5 miles from Tenby are the ruins of Manorbeer Castle, once the property of the Barri family, supposed to have been erected about the time of William Rufus. It was the birth-place of Giraldus de Barri, commonly surnamed Cambrensis, the celebrated historian of Wales. It has evidently been a place of great strength and importance. A little farther on are the ivy-mantled walls of Carew Castle, and about 3 miles from Pembroke the ruins of Lamphey, once the residence of the bishops of St David's, afterwards a seat of the great Lord Essex. Ten miles from Tenby is

PEMBROKE,

the capital of Pembrokeshire, pleasantly situated on a navigable creek of Mil