The gallery over the reading desk is said to have been removed here from the Abbey of Aberllechog, or Maenan Abbey, upon the dissolution of that religious house.
Under the reading desk in the Church, in a pew belonging to Kyffdy, is a Latin epitaph to the memory of Griffith Lloyd, of Bruniog, Rector of this parish; this is said to have been written by himself, and has been much admired for its singularity: it runs thus:—
“Once the undeserving School-master,
Then the more undeserving Lecturer,
And last of all, the most undeserving Rector of this Parish.
Do not think, speak, or write any thing evil of the dead.”
There is a Market Hall, Town Hall, Free Schools, and Alms Houses. The latter were erected by Sir John Wynne, in 1610, and received the name of Jesus Hospital. He endowed them for the reception of twelve poor men, by ceding the rectorial tithes of Eglwys Vâch, which are valued at £200 per annum. Within a mile of Llanrwst there is a spring, which is much esteemed for its healthful qualities. The water is soft, and a drop of sal-volatile mixed with a cup of it turns it white as milk, while oil of tartar causes it to assume a pearl colour. If during the tourist’s visit to Llanrwst there should chance to fall much rain, I would advise him by all means to view the cataract called
RHAIADR Y PARC MAWR,
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 lake, 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 Dyganwy, the magic of his muse effected his release. This celebrated bard was the preceptor of Merddin ab Morvryn, and to him the lovers of poetry are indebted for five new metres, while the historian and antiquary are equally benefited 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 Conwy; two miles and a half brought me to the pretty village of