situated on an eminence commanding a delightful and extensive view of the Vale of Llanrwst. Near and above this lovely spot is the celebrated lake of Geirionydd, on the banks of which lived the illustrious bard Taliesin, called by his countrymen, by way of distinction, “Taliesin ben Beirdd,” the chief of the bards. About a mile from Llyn Geirionydd is the mountain village of Llanrhychwyn. Lord Willoughby d’Eresby has erected a monument which his lordship intended should identify the spot where the poet resided. Here, in a sort of hollow, formed on the summit of a mound, are still to be seen some remains of an ancient habitation. The river Conway is navigable from its mouth to Trefriw, for vessels of 60 tons burden, which bring coal, lime, timber, and grocery, for the supply of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, and carry back the produce of the slate quarries and mines of the adjoining parishes. Five miles S. E. of Llanrwst, is
Gwytherin,
a small village, very poor and primitive indeed, once celebrated as the burial place of St. Winefred, but the pilgrimages to it are now few and far between.—Three miles to the north stood the Abbey of Maenan; but a large old house built out of its ruins now occupies its place.
Angling Stations.
Distance fromLlanrwst. | Miles. |
Bettws-y-Coed | 5 |
Trefriw | 2½ |
Dolgarrog | 4 |
Llanbedr | 5 |
Dolwyddelan | 8 |
Various Lakesnear Llanrhychwyn and Dôlgarrog, viz. | |
Llyn Geirionydd | 4 |
Llyn Bogynmyd | 3 |
Llyn Cowlyd | 6 |
Llyn Afangc. | |
Llyn Tal-y-llyn, and Llyn Crafnant, nearLlanrwst. | |
MACHYNLLETH,
(Montgomeryshire.)
| Aberdovey | 10 |
| Aberystwyth | 18 |
| Chester | 70 |
| Dolgelley | 16 |
| Llanidloes | 20 |
| London | 208 |
| Newtown | 28 |
| Towyn | 14 |
Machynlleth is an ancient well-built town, superior to most in North Wales for cleanliness and respectability, the streets being remarkably spacious and regular in appearance. It is situated on the road leading to Aberystwyth from Shrewsbury and North Wales, about a quarter of a mile from the southern bank of the river Dyfi. The township contains a population of 2482. It is the centre of the woollen manufactory in this part of the country, where also some tanning business is carried on. The Eagles is accounted the principal inn, and the Unicorn Arms, in the middle of the town, has obtained a good repute for excellent accommodation. The name of this town signifies the place of the river Cynllaeth, which was the ancient name of the Dyfi or Dovey, in the valley of which it stands. It is the supposed Maglana of the Romans, where, in the reign of Honorius, a lieutenant was stationed to awe the mountaineers.
Here Owen Glyndwr summoned the nobility and gentry, of Wales in 1402. Amongst the number, Sir David Gam attended with the design of murdering Glyndwr, but the plot was discovered, and Sir David was seized. He would have suffered instantaneous death, had not some powerful friends interfered, through whose intercession his sentence was mitigated to confinement at Machynlleth, where he continued some time. But Sir David was scarcely set at liberty, ere he began to manifest a turbulent disposition; which so exasperated Glyndwr, that he burnt his house in resentment, uttering to Gam’s servant the following extemporaneous stanza:—
Os gweli di wr coch cam,
Yn ’mofyn am Gyrnigwen;
Dywed ei bod hi tan y lan,
A nod y glo ar ei phen.