THE remarks made in a Tour through North Wales having met with a very flattering reception, it was suggested by friends, that unless I paid an equal attention to South Wales, I should justly stand charged with partiality to one part of the principality especially as I had traversed both with similar views of information and research. I have been thus induced to submit the following observations on a very important part of the country to the public view; fully sensible that if they possess any claim to attention it must be found in accuracy of investigation, and faithfulness of description. Most of them having been made with the objects in sight; and while present at the places to which they refer. If it should be urged, that many have travelled over this country, and that even Gleanings have been published on the beauty of its scenery, and the peculiarity of its customs, I must reply by an observation made on a former occasion. Every man sees, or fancies that he sees, something unobserved before, and that error is detected, and truth confirmed by plenitude of information. In describing a beaten tract the utmost caution is necessary to escape animadversion; and if in such a case the description should possess any novelty, the author cannot justly be charged with indolence or inattention. It may be added that few have travelled over this country in a scientific view: little therefore has been added to the stock of general information, which Wales, from its numerous productions, it calculated to afford. The remarks of those who have travelled for pleasure have generally partaken of the nature of their motives; and the inaccuracy of their descriptions has, too often, resembled the rapidity of their steps. Useful travel has a twofold object. It endea vours to benefit the country it visits, while it labours to accumulate advantages for its own. If in ascertaining facts I have sometimes slightly animadverted upon authors, who fancy themselves entitled to more veneration and respect, and who conceive I have been too free with their works, I say, disclaiming every idea of personality, "Amicus Plato, Amicus Socrates, sed magis amica Veritas." to the super The detail of castles and battles may, to the ficial reader, appear tedious and dull; but it was impossible for a mind awake to the reminiscence of the past not to advert to such eventful periods; and with the proud remains of other times in view not to recur to such extraordinary transactions. The investigation of antiquities of a still more early date, if not calculated to please, are interesting in a more important view; as tending to illustrate the obscure parts of British history; ushering into view facts mistated or suppressed; raising up heroes inadvertently or politically consigned to oblivion; and thus giving to historic truth its just celebrity. In this respect the otherwise puerile knowledge termed numismatology rises into consequence in the scale of science. For any digression of this nature therefore utility must be my apology. 1 LETTER I. The Author, leaving Bristol, visits Clifton-Roman station— Abone of the Romans-Beauty of the rocks-Extraordinary chasm ridiculously accounted for-Cooke's Folly-Anecdote of Charles II.-King's Weston Park-Pill-Harbour of King- road-Forts-That at Portishead originally Roman-The Sta- tio Trajectus-Dangerous pass in the Severn Sea, called the Shoots-Anecdote of Charles I.-New Passage-Portscewit a Wales an historic country-Seat of the Silures, opinions respect- ing-Roman camp of Sudbrooke-Remarkable inundation- Caldecot Castle-Very large cherry trees-Julia Strata- Village of Caerwent a Roman station-Curious tesselated pavement found there-Caerleon the seat of the Roman go- vernment-Its ancient splendour-Cock-fighting a sport intro- duced by the Romans-A curious sculptured stone, with the figure of Amphitrite-Christianity early preached here-Pela- gian heresy-Synod convened for its suppression-King Ar- Fine view from the Gam-Superstitious pilgrimage to a tomb Works at Myrthir Tydvil-The deterioration of this invaluable metal by the process called puddling-Caerphyli Castle, found. Roads in Wales formed by nature-Caeron a Roman station- Island of Barry-A curious phenomenon said to have existed here-Delightful scenery about Porth cwm Cerrig-Castles of Penmarck and Fonmon-Cruelties exercised by the inhabitants of this coast towards people shipwrecked-Accounted for- Evils arising from a want of due execution of the laws-Bo- verton-Llan Ilted-Place of great antiquity-A British uni- versity-Burial place of the great Cambrian legislature Howel Dha-Lines on seeing his monument-Monuments in the St. Donat's Castle-Singular cross in the church-yard-Origin of crosses-Epitaph of the Stradling family-Dunraven-Hospi- tality of its owner-Surrow Down-Cove-Caves under the cliffs-Reported dip of the river Ogmore-Remarkable stream issuing from under the hill-Abbey of Ewenny-Bridgend— Woollen Manufactory-View from Newton Down-Village of Newton, a bathing place-Extraordinary ebbing and flowing spring, called Sandford's Well-Cynfeg-Its Pool and Castle -Margam-Ancient Cross-Its oaken Grove-Orangery- Ruins of its far-famed Abbey-Monuments, &c.-Y maen Llythyrag, or the lettered stone-Aggera, their design-Abera- von, superstitious Tale of a Salmon's regular appearance on Christmas day-Briton Ferry-Seat of Lord Vernon-Canal- Neath, its castle and abbey-Gnoll Castle Observation on arti- |