[12] It is in this manner, (observes Mr. Pennant, speaking of Tommen y Rhodwydd in Yale) that we must account for the total disappearance of many Welsh Castles, whose names are preserved in History, and whose vestiges we have sought for in vain.—They were made of wood, as was very customary with several ancient nations, and with others of later date. The Persians, on the approach of the Spartans, secured themselves within their wooden walls, and Cæsar found great resistance from a Tower, in the Alpine Castle of Larignum, made of the timber of the Larix, or the Larch, which was found to be incombustible. In later times, the Castle of Bamborough was built originally by Ida, with wood; the Burg of Murray was fortified by the Danes, with the same material.—The people of the same country, in 1228, had Castles of wood; and a century after these, more recent instances: William de Melton, Archbishop of York, in 1317, fortified the Mount in that City, called the Old Bale, with planks, eighteen inches thick.
[17] The Court of King’s Bench has very lately determined, that stage Coach passengers cannot legally be required to pay any demand whatever, for being conveyed over the ferry at Conway, and for carriage of their luggage, over and above the amount of their respective fares in such Coach.
[30] Probably at Braich y Bedd, near Hafod Gelyn. There is a Tradition that in former times there was a Church near that place, and a spot is still shewn distinguished by the name of Hên Fonwent, (old Church-yard); and it is not unlikely but the Walsh Princes might nave had their Summer residence here, if we may be allowed to judge from the name; for Garth Celyn must have been near this spot. There is also a Tradition, that the village was set on fire, by Oliver Cromwell’s men, from the Bridge to the Church-yard, and that they lighted a fire under the Bell rope, in the Church, which they made use of as a Stable.
[38] Some idea of the magnitude of this concern may be formed, from the Proprietor having shipped off, from Port Penrhyn, in the year 1819, Slates to the amount of Fifty-eight Thousand Pounds.
[43] The Precentor, though at present unendowed, will in a few years have a Salary annexed to his Office, in consequence of a Decree lately made by the Lord Chancellor in his favour.
[53] This Ferry, probably, took its name from the Hundred or Division of the Island in which it to situated, viz. Tindaethwy.
[55] Near this Ferry, on the Anglesey shore, is a Rock known by the name of Carreg Iago, or rather Carreg yr Iacon, or Arch-Iacon; (the Archdeacon’s stone) rendered memorable on account of Archbishop Baldwin having stood up to preach the crusade upon it, at the time of his peregrinations for that purpose through Wales, 1188; and Alexander, Archdeacon of Bangor, is said to have interpreted to the people.
[56] Ceris, appears to be derived either from Cawr-rys (or rhys) the mighty rushing, or Gyr-rhys, which conveys nearly the same meaning;—Ymryson, to contend, is compounded, of ym and rhys; and the English word race, or course, is probably derived from this word.
[60] The shore near Porthamel, (Perth Amelius, according to Rowlands; Porth ym moel, as others conjecture,) is famed for being the place where Suetonius landed; his infantry were conveyed over in boats, probably near a spot still called Pont yr Ysgraffiau, and his horse crossed, partly by swimming and partly fording.—Ready to receive them, appeared on the shore, a motley army, (as Tacitus informs us) and women, running wildly about, in black attire, with dishevelled hair, and like furies, brandishing their torches; and the Druids surrounding them, and lifting up their hands to Heaven, and pouring forth the most dreadful imprecations. The Roman soldiers stood astonished with the sight—at length, animated by their leader, and encouraging each other, being ashamed to be intimidated by a womanly, and fanatic band, they advanced with their ensigns, and overthrew all who opposed them, destroying them in their own fires. After the battle, they placed garrisons in the towns, and cut down the groves consecrated to their horrid superstitions; for these people, considered it lawful to offer in sacrifice, the captives taken in war, and, to consult human entrails.—How thankful ought we to be for the benign influence of the Gospel of peace, by which we were delivered from the yoke of superstition, and the abominations of Heathenism!
[61a] The meaning of the word is Resting-place, a name given it by Lord Lucan, being descriptive of the purpose for which it was erected; his Lordship usually spending a few days here, on his why to and from Ireland. The house stands on a bold eminence, and commands a full view of the Bridge and Ferry; and the inmates of this sweet retreat, have the pleasure of beholding the busy bustling scene, without being annoyed or discommoded, either by the noise of the passengers or the dust of the highway, as is frequently the case with houses situated near a public road.