marble-Swansea-Origin of the name-Its Castle, Abbey

-Its port and commerce-Coal works-Copper works-

Smelting-Bathing place-Contrast to Weymouth-Hot and

cold baths-Effects of the effluvia from the neighbouring works

-Beauty of its bay-Evening's walk on the beach-Reflec-

tions and lines on the occasion.
Page 147

LETTER VII.

Peninsula of Gwyr or Gower-Village of Oystermouth-Sum-

mer oyster-Light-house-Bay of Caswel-Caves-Peurice

Castle Wonder of the world on Gower-Nature of Druidical

worship-Ffynnon Vair, or holy wells-Lychwr, a Roman sta-

tion-Its Castle-Gower, a barren tract, yet enjoys peculiar

privileges-Retrospect of the vale of Glamorgan-Called the

garden of Wales-Mildness of the climate, formerly more

fruitful than at present-Mode of white-washing the houses,

&c. generally practised-Remarks-System of husbandry bad

-Price of Land-Observations on the comparative value of

the ox and the horse, for the purposes of agriculture-Breed

of black cattle, sheep, &c.-Excellent butter-Early invention

of making it—Cheese for the most part very indifferent-Some

from sheep's milk equal to Parmesan-Origin and manners of

the inhabitants in this district; very different from the Welsh

-Error respecting them..

LETTER VIII.

. 175

Llanelly-Iron works-Its Priory-Cidwelly-Its Castle-Prowess
of Gwenllian, wife of Gryffydd ap Rhys-New town, coal works
-Canal-Shifting sand-Marsh famous for feeding sheep-
Vales of Gwendraeth Vawr and Vychan-Iron mines-Source
of these two rivers-Caer Cennin Castle, a British fortress
-Another wonder of Wales-Slovenly state of husbandry-
Exceptions-Cultivation of furze as food for cattle-Improved
mill for bruising it-Two species of furze-Failure of water-
meads accounted for-Lead and copper ore-Welsh mode of
brewing and fining Cwrw, or ale, a liquor of ancient use-
Cocklers-Mode of taking cockles-Salmon fishing in coracles
-Baskets and wicker-work of Celtic origin-Caermarthen-
Anecdote of Sir Richard Steele-Quay-Trade-Religious
houses-Birth-place of Merlin-Of Roman origin-Castle-
Mendicity prevalent-Observations on the administration of

1

justice, and the evils arising from want of a proper publicity

of the laws....
Page 198

LETTER IX.

Upper vale of the Towy delightful-Reflection on early rising-

Dryslan Castle-Grongar Hill-Golden Grove-Dinefawr

Castle, seat of the latter South Wallian princes-Its fate-

Ruins now inclosed within Newton Park-Seat of Lord Dine-

vawr-Laugharne-Hovilles used as fuel-Green bridge of

Wales-Abbey of Whiteland-Tygwyn, the royal residence

of Howel Dha-His code of laws nearly equal to the Justinian

code-Character of this great man-
n-Circle of stones, a Druidi-

cal temple, like that near Rolright, Oxfordshire-Tenby, a

celebrated bathing place-Its port-Castle-The birth-place of

Gyraldus Cambrensis-Island of Caldey-Safe anchorage for

shipping-Oyster fishery-History of this fish, and mode of

taking, fattening, &c.-Reflections on luxury..
226

LETTER X.

Different dress, language, and manners of the people of Pem-

brokeshire from the other counties-Little England beyond

Wales-A race of Flemings-Road to Pembroke-Fine view

from it-Pembroke-Its Castle, description and history-Mil-

ford Haven-Description-Its local importance considered-

The key to Ireland-Picton Castle-Landing of Henry Earl of

Richmond, afterwards King Henry VII.-Anecdote of Rice

ap Thomas-Coal works-Observation on the direction of

mineral veins-Manner of procuring coals-Fire damp-Ha-

verfordwest-Its Castle-Reflections on the late scarcity and

monopoly of the corn trade-Its iniquity..
255

LETTER XI.,

Sterility of the country about St. David's-A curious phenomenon
illustrative of the advances made by the sea on the western and
south-western parts of the kingdom-Pebidiog or St. David's
Head-Y Maen Sigl, or the shaking stone-Anecdote of
Henry II-Isle of Ramsey-Peculiar breed of sheep-Bishop
and his clerks-Birds which frequent these cliffs various-
Falconry-Account of this ancient fashionable amusement-
Christianity early preached here-Cathedral of St. David's

-Description-Bishop's palace in ruins-City of St. David's

-Insidious remarks of a former tourist-Llaivan, or dark but-

ter, mode of making-Peculiar tenure called Redwal-Tether-

ing cattle, fowls, &c.-Fishguard might be made a safe and

advantageous port-Stumining fires-Herring fishery-Town

small-Valuable stone in the vicinity-Mineral spring, with a

Roman inscribed stone-Custom of marling grass lands in the

barony of Kemes-Newport-Various monumental stones-

Percelly mountains-Peat bogs-Reflections on the woollen

trade-Fogging land-Inoculating for the small-pox, a custom

from time immemorial...

LETTER XII.

page 284

This part of the country destitute of woods-Reflections on their
decay, and the want of planting-Abbey of St. Dogmeal's-
Cardigan, Castle-Eisteddfod held here by Prince Rhys-River
Teifi-Cilgerran Castle, bold and impregnable situation-
Great cattle fair-Llechryd-Salmon leap at Kennarth-New
Castle Elmlin-Teifi nearly dry-Mode of quickly preparing
new corn for the mill-State of agriculture wretched-Indo-
lence of the inhabitants accounted for-Spirit of emigration-
Patriotism of the nobility and gentry-Hints for improvement
-Aber porth-Fine Cove of Traeth Saith-Anecdote of the
Earl of Richrhond-New Quay-Reflections on smuggling-
Inn at Aber-airon-Curious reception...

LETTER XIII.

$14

Llanrysted-Its Castle-Remarkable productive land near-

Aberystwith, a fashionable summer resort-Castle-Slate quar-

ries in the vicinity-Lead mines-Silver mines-Welsh Potosi

-Llanbadern Vawr-Romantic situation of Pont y Pren-Vale

of the Rheidol Pont ar Mynach-Variety of the attendant

scenery-Hafod-Istrad Meirig-Remarkable spot of Crag-

naullin-Effects of thunder amidst surrounding mountains-

Superstition productive of tormenting fear-Picture of a Welsh

peasant's family, reflections on-Abbey of Strata Florida-

British history-MS. of Brut y Brenhined-Custom of the lit-

tle wedding-Llan Dewi Brevi-Rich pastures-Grass literally

rots on the ground-Guirden, or knitting matches...... 333

LETTER XIV.

Llanwrted Wells, a fashionable resort-Nature of the Springs-

Spot where the last Llewelyn fell-Llanymdovery-Extraor-

dinary number of attornies-Castle-Birth place of Rees Pri-

chard-Some account of him, his popular work of Cynwel

Cymru-Fine pass of Cwm Dwr-Trecastle-Unnatural de-

pravity of Princess Nêst-Witch of Maiscar-The game of

Quintin-The Gaer-A curious monumental inscription-

Superiority of the ancients in outline-Brecknock-Roman

remains near Castle-Mynich Denny hill-Lyn Savathan-

Description of the Abbey of Llantony, in the Vale of Ewias-

Skyrid Vawr and Cwmyoy mountain-Abergavenny, Castle-

Iron mines in its vicinity-Fanciful building of Clytha-Rag-

land Castle-its fine ruins-History of the siege-Loyalty and

bravery of its most noble owner the Marquis of Worcester-

Anecdotes of cruel treatment-Author passes Strygil Castle ;

and at Beachly quits the Principality...

LETTER XV.

Page 358

Geological remarks-Direction and escarpment of mountains, not

fortuitous, but uniform-The table land of England, Scotland,

and Wales confirm the observations of travellers-Observations

of the directions the mountains take in Wales-Primitive,

secondary, and flotz mountains-Proofs adduced of the Neptu-

nean theory of the earth-Miserable shifts infidel writers are

reduced to Their great effrontery-The goodness of God

discoverable in the distribution of minerals-Account of

those found in Wales-Origin of coal-Early working of mines

-Imposture of the Rosicrusians-Little advancement that

has been made in mineralogy and metallurgy-Further re-

marks on the state of agriculture-Errors pointed out, and

methods of improvement suggested-Remarks on the decrease

of woodland-The necessity and duty of planting-Attention

to lands under wood recommended-Trade-Character of the

Welsh-Popular sports-Credulity and superstition-Enthu-

siasm-Decay of rational religion-Causes assigned-Remedy

to this evil suggested-Persecution deprecated, and a tolerant

conduct recommended....
.394

À TOUR THROUGH SOUTH WALES.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER I

THE pleasure I received from the romantic

scenery of North Wales excited a strong desire of visiting the southern part of the principality; not doubting, but from its more varied history, mixed population, and extent of maritime boundary, it would furnish particulars satisfactory to know, and interesting to relate. You were pleased to express yourself so agreeably satisfied with my former sketches, that it gave me encouragement in this undertaking, and emboldened me again to address you upon a subject that some might consider as too trifling for public notice.

Accompanied by friends, whose views were similar to my own, and whose knowledge of the language and country were calculated to point out the most curious objects, and obtain the most correct information, I undertook the Tour of South Wales. A country, which, if less grand and romantic in its scenery than its northern neighbour, in a variety of pleasing and useful objects is calculated to make up the deficiency.

Desirous of going by water to the coast of Wales, we arrived early in June at the second city in the

B