Early in the morning, the stocks are placed at one end of the street, and a party, marching to the inspiring music of a drum and fife, parade the town, in order to convey to the place of punishment all seceders from this ancient law of custom. When they arrive at a house where a rebel resides, the storming party endeavour by all practicable means to gain admittance; such as climbing in at the windows, forcing open the back door, &c., and they generally secure the culprit; who, if he be caught in bed, is allowed sufficient time to dress himself, and then hurried away to the stocks, amid the exulting shouts of the assembled multitude.
His feet being secured, one of the party gives him a severe lecture upon the sin of idleness, and of breaking old established customs. Then taking his right hand, he puts questions to him; such as, whether he would rather kiss the mistress or the maid?—whether he prefers buttermilk or strong ale?—and the more satisfactory his answers are to the party, the more thickly his hand is plaistered with mud, until at length he is released, and, with loud cheering, permitted to join the forces, as they march off in search of another rebel.
There is a pearl fishery at Conway, and many poor families are supported by gathering the muscles, which contain these gems.
The fish is called by Linnæus myd margaritefera. The produce is transmitted to London in the pure natural state, and easily finds a market amongst the jewellers, who purchase them by weight, but in the neighbourhood of Conway the purposes they are appropriated to are unknown.
It was my good fortune to meet with a brother tourist at the Castle Inn; who, after acquainting me with the above facts, offered to conduct me in the morning to Llandudno, which offer I thankfully accepted; and, before the sun had finished his draught of mountain dew, we had crossed the bridge, and were pursuing our course to the appointed spot. The tide was at low ebb, and a pleasant walk of three quarters of a mile upon the hard sand brought us to
DINAS GONWY
“The fort of the Conway.” By the English, it is called the Gannoc and by the common people in the neighbourhood “Y Faer dre.”
The ruins of an ancient castle are to be seen at a short distance, situated upon two hillocks, near the shore. From thence we crossed by Eglwy’s Rhôs, where Maelgwn Gwynedd is said to have taken refuge to avoid the yellow fever, which was committing great havoc in all parts of Europe. Gloddaeth, the residence of Lady Mostyn Champneys, is sweetly situated near this place. It was built by her ancestors in the reign of Elizabeth, and is celebrated for the Welsh manuscripts contained in the library. The grounds are most tastefully laid out, and the tourist will find himself amply rewarded for his pains while viewing the extreme beauty of the scenes around.
LLANDUDNO
is built upon a huge mass of rock which projects into the sea, called The Great Orme’s Head; a small village, where formerly a great deal of smuggling was carried on; and, as we stood gazing upon the frightful precipice beneath us, at the base of which the ocean breaks its mighty bulk, and foams as if enraged at opposition, my companion related a story of a fisherman’s daughter and her lover, the circumstances of which took place within view of the position we then occupied.