in the valley of Nant Bwlch yr Haiarn, near Gwydir, but otherwise the minuteness of the stream occasions no extraordinary effect from this fall, which is about one hundred feet in height. The chief object of interest, however, in this vicinity, is the celebrated lakes, called
LLYN GEIRIONYDD,
upon the borders of which once lived the chief of the Welsh bards, Taliesin. At the eastern side of the lake is a mound, upon the summit of which there is a kind of hollow, and in it are the remains of an ancient edifice, which was probably the residence of Taliesin, in the reign of Maelgwn Gwynedd, king of Britain. Taliesin when an infant was found by Prince Elphin by the side of a wear belonging to his father Gwyddno Garanhir, lord of Cantrev Gwaelod. The prince fostered the infant, and had it liberally educated; and, at a proper age, introduced him to the court of his father Gwyddno. Upon this occasion, Taliesin presented the king with a poem, the subject of which was his own history, and another to the prince, which he called Dyhuddiant Elphin, or the consolation of Elphin, a translation of which is in Evan’s specimens of Welsh poetry.
Taliesin had an opportunity of being serviceable to his benefactor; for once, when the prince was imprisoned by his uncle Maelgwn, in the castle of Tejanwy, the magic of his muse effected his release.
This celebrated bard was the preceptor of Myrddin ap Merfryn, and to him the lovers of poetry are indebted for five new metres, while the historian and antiquary are equally benefitted by his accurate description of the manners and customs of the ancient Britons.
I quitted Llanrwst on the following morning, and took the road to Conway: two miles and a half brought me to the pretty village of
TREFRIW,
which presents an animated scene. It is situated upon the banks of the beautiful river Conway, which is navigable up to this point for vessels of fifty tons burthen, that supply the town and neighbourhood with coals, lime, groceries, &c. &c. and return laden with slate, supplied from the adjacent mines and quarries.
A number of small boats, called coracles, used by the fishermen, are seen studding the delightful stream, while the larger vessels, towed against the wind or sailing before it, present a pleasing picture.
From this place to Conway there is nothing particularly to attract attention, until you arrive within a mile of that celebrated town, when from the brow of a hill, is obtained a view of the venerable fortress erected by the first Edward, and the strongly fortified walls, completely encompassing the town, and strengthened by massive towers. They are coeval with the castle, and are built in the form of a Welsh harp, like those of Caernarvon; but here there are no environs, and the town presents the same appearance as when the chivalric monarch first fortified it.