On beholding Eliseg's Column, near Valle Crucis, he recalled to mind that excellent antiquary and scholar, Robert Vaughan, the first who in these later days could read the inscription, of which he sent a copy to Archbishop Usher, taken before the Cromwellians threw it from its pedestal.' This column was raised as a memorial of the dead; a rude improvement on the ruder monuments of Druidical times. It was covered with inscriptions, and raised on a tumulus, according to the custom of ancient times, when pillars were placed under every green tree.' One of the inscriptions states, that the pillar was raised by Eliseg in honour of his grandfather of the same name; an adjacent township is entitled Eglwyseg, and the picturesque range of rocks, towering far above, bear the name of Glisseg. The ancient residence of these princes was the Castle of Dinas Bran, which commanded the vale from the most imposing site.

The ruins of Llan Egwest, or the Abbey of Valle Crucis, next met the Wanderer's view, at the foot of the mountains, watered by a pleasant stream, and shaded with hanging woods.

This was a house of Cistercians, founded by Madoc, Lord of Bromfield, and grandson to the famous Owen Gwynedd, who acted in concert with the great Llewellyn in 1215, when they captured a number of English castles. He was interred in his own monastery, described as one of the last founded and first dissolved.*

From the drear and rugged summit on which stood Dinas Bran, the Wanderer beheld an extensive prospect of vale, and stream, and mountain-wild. Below him appeared Chirk Castle, Wynnstay, Pont-y-Cyssyllte,-that remarkable structure with its noble archest -surrounded by villas, groves, hamlets, and hills.

Owain, a poet of the fifteenth century, very highly commends the hospitality of the Abbots. Describing their style of life, he says, that their table was usually covered with four courses of meat, served up in silver dishes. and sparkling claret was their general beverage.

† As a work of magnificence and art, this splendid aqueduct is not surpassed by any structure of the kind known in modern times. It impresses the beholder with admi

The deepening shades of evening were closing in ere the Traveller entered the Vale of the Cross-the region of Llangollen; scenes amidst which the lovers of the picturesque, or the sentimental, may give free scope to their tastes and fancies. It is wholly impossible to convey an idea of the varied beauties which lay around. Encompassed by spots as rich in historic interest as in their combination of natural loveliness and magnificence, from the heart of this enchanting valley the Wanderer could reach the famed retreats of Owen Glendower, and explore its wildest outlets to their termination beyond the great Llyntiged. To his left lay Trevor, Wynnstay, and Ruabon; before him, the vale and noble aqueduct of Pont-y-Cyssyllte. Crossing the mountain, he could re-enter the romantic scenery of Bala, on his way to the loftier beauties of Snowdonia, or he could take the route of Wrexham, so full of milder, yet ever varying objects of attraction.

Llangollen, the vale of the Dee, is bounded by chains of noble hills, the bolder features of which are softened by gentle rising knolls and swelling eminences, following the irregular direction of the river. Relieved by sudden breaks and openings, the scene

ration of the extent of human power and skill, directed by the light of science, and executed by the combination of human energies and wealth. It is situated about four miles from Llangollen, extends nine hundred and eighty-eight feet, consists of nineteen arches, each forty-five in the span, without including six inches of iron-work in continuation at each end. The supporting piers are of a stone resembling Portland, pyramidal, and measuring at the base twenty-one feet by ten wide. The height is one hundred and sixteen feet, and over this spacious arcade extends a large open caisson, made of cast iron, eleven feet eight inches broad, by which the water is conveyed over the river Dee, one thousand and nine feet, to the opposite level. The effect of the whole upon the eye is peculiarly striking. Two iron plates are screwed together from centre to centre of each arch, and along one side of the canal is a towing-path, four feet in breadth, with a handsome iron balustrade as a defence.

The lime-works in the vicinity are numerous and extensive. The material is calcined on the spot, and rendered fit for immediate use. By means of the Ellesmere canal, the proprietors are enabled to supply the adjacent counties; also Liverpool, Chester, and other towns. The noble bridge, likewise, erected previous to the year 1357, by a Bishop of St. Asaph, is entitled to be classed among the proudest ornaments of Wales.