[171] The most usual and best direction, in which to ascend Snowdon at the present day, commences between the New Inn and Dolbadarn Castle, near the Bridge.
[181] “The Cambrian fair would blush as much at the term courting in bed as any other modest female would, that has never heard of this custom before. It is not expressed Caru-yn-y-Gwely, which means courting in bed; but Caru-ar-y-Gwely, courting on the bed. Should the lover offer any indecency, his mistress would not only fly from him with the velocity of lightning, but he would be fortunate if she would so leave him without giving him a bloody nose at parting. In a few days also, the tidings of his impudence would reach the ears of every lass in the neighbourhood; his company would be shunned with the greatest caution: and were he so successful as to prevail upon a young woman to accept of his visits, her continency would be considered as doubtful.”
[183a] “Assembled there, from pious toil they rest,
And sadly share the last sepulchral feast.”
Pope’s Homer.
[183b] This last custom is not in use in Anglesea.
[186] Such is the received opinion; but the place noted for this event is only a thoroughfare to the grand apartments of the tower, the middle one of which appears more probably to have been the room. They shew also a cradle in which the Prince is said to have been rocked.
[187] “On the outside of the town walls is a broad and pleasant terrace along the side of the Menai, extending from the quay to the north end of the town walls, and in the evening is a fashionable promenade for persons of all descriptions. From the top of a rock behind the hotel is a fine view of the town and castle: and on a clear day the Isle of Anglesea, Holyhead, and Parys Mountains, may be distinctly seen, like a good map before the eyes.”—Evans.
[188] The parish church is dedicated to Publicius, a brother of the far-famed and illustrious Helen, whose splendid acts in favour of Christianity are at this day attested in Palestine. Near the church are the remains of Segontium, built about the year A.D. 365, by Maximus; or, as he is styled by the British historians, Maxen Wledig. It was from hence, it is supposed, that Maximus marched in his ill-fated expedition to gain the imperial purple at Rome, taking with him all the youth whom Helen invited to join his standard. The line of march which he pursued is, even at this time, traditionally recorded amongst the common people in the neighbourhood.
[191] The hire of a boat is from seven shillings and sixpence to half-a-guinea.
[192] “The eastern seems originally to have consisted of seven stones, six uprights supporting an immense superincumbent one (with its flat face lying upon them), thirteen feet long, nearly as much broad, and four feet thick.”—Warner’s Second Walk through Wales.