Mountain, and gave its own name to the later "Crickhowel." Descending and leaving the Valley of the lesser Grwyney (y Grwyne-fach) on the left, we followed that of the larger branch (y Grwyne-fawr) along a narrow twisting lane at the foot of the northern slope. At about four miles from Crickhowel the lane bifurcates; the branch which trends down to the river, which it crosses, is known further on as" Coalpit Lane,” and leads ultimately to Llanthony; along the other we continued our way as far as some farm-buildings called the "Celyn" (The Holly).. Leaving the carriage here, we took the steep, narrow, well-worn lane that trends north-east, and after passing a farm with the suggestive name of "Llanfair" (St. Mary's), and following along what became something of a trackway, we suddenly dipped down into a secluded little dingle; and crossing the brook, we toiled for a couple of hundred yards or so up a steep and narrow cutting, and then on the right hand we turned into the churchyard of Partrishow, embosomed in trees, and presenting an ideal spot for quiet contemplation, away from the noise and bustle of the busy world. Sir Stephen Glynne's "Notes" and Mr. Worthington Smith's illustrations in the 1902 volume describe all that is of interest in it so fully that there is little. left to add, and they are so fresh that there is no need to repeat them here. But the place, the situation, and the surroundings are so full of interest that one must plead an antiquary's privilege to linger on the spot, and, in thought, trace out its antecedents and its origin. There must have been many re-buildings on this site, for no part of the fabric is as old as the font, the inscription on which, "made in the time of Gennillin," corresponds exactly in date with a record. in the Book of Llandav; that the church was consecrated by Bishop Herewald (A.D. 1056-1103). But, 1 1 "Kniwillin ap Rys goch kyff kenedl ystrad yw ac o hano vo i tyf gwyr penn Ros a llan ofor."-Mostyn MS. 2126, 130. |