The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

BRECON FIFTY YEARS AGO. (Continued.) Regaining the road to Crickhowell, Buckland, the mansion of the late Roderick G wytine, Esq., father of the present proprietor. Within a mile Crick- howell, on the left of the road, was formerly an ancient chapel, called Welsh Lla' fair. A field not far from the site of this fabric is called Cae y chrochenwydd, or the potter's field, which was anciently used, according to tradi ion, to bury strangers in. In a close adjoining is a high artificial mound, covered with underwood, considered Mons placita of the manor, by others a sepulchral barrow, or, from its situation upon the Roman road, an arx speculatoria of the Romans. No other vestige of that people appears in this neighbourhood, except a stone noticed in Gough's Camden, said to be about one mile from Crickhowell. It is now prostrate its dimensions are nine feet long, by one three-fourth feet broad, and six inches thick. It lies near the hedge-side on part of a farm called Ty yn y wlad (the house in the country); the field is in the parishes of Crickhowell, Llanbedr, ard Llangeney, and is call. d Cae Oynta go ffi', or the first horses field. A writer in the Gentleman's Magazine tor July, 1768, makes the inscription to be Tvrpilivs lacit, veri tr Fihvs Dvnocati." Mr. Theophilus Jones says "The first word is certainly Turpilii, and not Turpiliani, as asserted by Gough the rest may be anything the reader pleases, As the bell clinketh, So the fool thinketh." On entering Crickhowt-ll the old gateway upon the right generally attracts attention. It was the castellated mansion of the first Herberts, and is now called Cwrt Garw, or Cwrt y carw. In moving towards Merthyr Tidvil, Cantreff, which lies about two miles south of Brecon, is a parish which contains several objects of interest. The church is romantically situated upon an eminence near the river Cynrig, containing nothing remark- able. One mile to the south-east lies Llanvrynith The neighbourhood of the church and village is antiquarian ground. Tregaer and Caerau are names which distinguish two tenements, one of which was probably the summer residence of a Rom m general. A Roman bath was discovered in the year 1775, in a field near the village called Carnau bach, but soon after destroyed. Mr. Hay, of Brecon, however, fortunately took a drawing of it, a copy of which is given in Mr. Jones' History of Breconshire. Several Roman coins have also been found here. A plate of sixteen of them is given in the same work. They are in the possession of Mr. Jeffreys Wilkins, of the Priory of Brecon. In the beginning of the year 1808, in a field called Cae gwin, part of a farm named Ty yn y 11-yn, was discovered under an immense earn, a Cist faen, formed of four stones set edgewise, with a fifth upon the top, without any inscription, and human bones were in the enclosure and on the lid. These stones were cleared by order of Mr. J. Powell, of Brecon, attorney, the proprietor, for agricultural purposes. This was probably the place of interment for one or more British chieftains; for the Cistfaen, or coffin, succeeded the Cromlech or sepulchral monu- ment. Perhaps in this neglected spot was laid A heart that glow'd with patriotic fire; Hands that the rod of Cambria once had sway'd Or wak'd to ecstacy the living lyre; Some rival Craddoc, who with dauntless power From base usurpers did his country save, Yet felt, like all, th' inevitable hour When paths of glory lead but to the grave. The tombs in this church evince that some of the descendants of Sir David Gam settled in this neigh- bourhood. The soil of this neighbourhood is gravel mixed with loam in the lowlands, chiefly used in raising corn, and moist and boggy at the feet of the mountains. The rivers Mehassin, on the south-east, and the Cynrig, on the wist, bound this parish, both of which fall into the Usk. Previous to a descent into Cwmdu, the lofcy summits of Brecon B, aeons attract our notice. The southermost is the least the other two are higher, and sometimes called Cader Arthur, or Arthur's Chair. Probably the demigod Arthur, and the warrior of the saffle name were very different per- sonages. fSee Owen's Cam. Biog] The mytho- logical Arthur is pourtrayed a tremendous figure His head soars above the clouds, and is encircled by the rainbow he br. atbs in the zephyrs of spring and in the summer breeze and roars in the tempests of winter. The back of his chair is a semicircular sweep of two or three miles. His quoits (the cover- ing stones of our cromlechau) are dispersed over the face of the principality. Hi* 8eat is upon the site of Llyn-cwro-llwch. Where his seven-league boots are deposited, time has, in an envious mood, con- cealed. Leland tells us that A,tl,reb hill is iii. good Welsb miles (almost five EngljSM south west from Brecknock, and in the veiri toppe of the hille is fair well spring. This hille of some is counted of the highest hille in Wales, and in a veri cleere day a mane may see from hit a part of Malvern failles, and Gioucestre, and Bristow, and part of Devon- shire and Cornwall. Ther be divers other hilies by Arture's hille, the wich with it being commonly called Bans e Brelo ni;suc." Holinshed does not men tion the well, but he gives us a wouderoui marvel instead. "One rm untain in the south, and tbr, e miles from Brecknock, is of such hight and opera- tion as is incredible, and were it not that I have witnesses to affirme what I shall speak, I should blush to let the report, thereof passe from my Iwn. From the top of that bill, called Monuch Denny, or Cadier Arthur, they had often times cast fromo them and doune the north-east rocks their cloakes, hats, and staves, which notwithstanding would r.ever fall, but were by the air and winde still rtturned bacl;e and blown up, neither, said they, will anything descend from that cliffe, being so easterly, unless it be stone, or some metalline substance, affirming the cause to be the clouds, which are seen to racke much lower than the top of the hille Camden asserts that "A fountain springs upon the very top of this hill which is as deep as a draw well, and square, affording trout, though no water runs out of it." These are the strious assertions of respectable his- torians other writers since their time have taken such assertions for facts, and repented them. Sir Richard Hoare, howev< r, declares that there is no such well upon the summit of Cader Arthur. The most southern Beacons appear perf. ct cones at a very ,h,,ri distance, and in reality do not contain upon their summits above twenty or thirty yards of flit surface. The centre Beacon contains a deposit of rain water, which is sometimes perfectly dry. Its point is 850 yards above the bed of the Usk at Brecon, and about 1,000 yards above the level of the sea. The north-east is a terrific precipice of at least nearly two hundred perpendicular yards from the top to where the descent begins to be more gradual. From the centre B, acoii we comma! d a view of the Bristol Channel from the Mumble Head to Kit groad, with parts of thirteen or fourteen counties. The Malvern hills are obil-ets if) this prospect, but Bristol cannot be seen Upon the south-w. tit side the ascent is Ii ore gradual. From the summit of this peak the line takes a oncave sweep to the west till it rises again with boldness and majesty to the third peak. In this descent and a few yard* lower, towards the south, is the source of the lesset- Taf. The west Beacon shews a more flattened summit. The sides, like those of its con- comitants, shelve from the top to the south-west, and break almost precipitously on the north-fast, producing that appearance which Giraldus calls instar cathedrae At their feet, is the circubr pool called Llyn cvtm llwch, about one mile in circumference. The lacerta aquatica. or common water newt, called in Welsh Pwdrwhilen, is found in great abundance in this pool. There are no fish except f els, to which our little harmless lizard, the terror of both little and great children, becomes a prey. It has not been ascer- tained whether this pool is a crater or a pan, an inverted cone or concave bowl. The convulsions whidl have produc. d the astonishing rents and dis- ruptions presented in these mountains, and from which a mineralogist wotild have expected much, as displaying the internal composition of the earth to a considerable dt pth below the surface, have produced nothing. In proceeding on the road to Merthyr Tydvil, leave the Beacons on the left, and cross the infant, 1 at fawr river at Cwmdu, eight miles from Brecon, which continues on the right all the way cross the tributary stream called Cryw, two miles, cross Nant ddu brook, a mile and a half, a half-mile further Nantddu chapel, situated close upon the east bank of the laf fawr, or greater Taf. It is a chapel of ease to Cantretf. The original endowment was only 40s. per annum, to the minister of Cantr. ff, for his tedious ride. It has, however, been augmented four times by Queen Anne's bounty. One mile further, cross the Llysenog river; another mile, cross Carr brook Garawen Morgan, one mile; Coed y Cymer, two miles. Merthyr Tydvil, two miles. To Neath, cross the Usk into the parish of St. David's, cross the Tat ell river, and pursue the Merthyr Tydvil road for four miles, when take the right for two miles more on the right to Senny, tw« miles. On the same side is Cape! Illtid. Towards the farmhouse of Mannest th" ground rises, and about halt a mile west becomes a eons derable hill. At the summit of this emit ence is the hermitage of Illtid, before referred to, Within a few yards isahesp of stones, and the app,arance of an entrenchment. Mr. Theophilus Jones thinks this may have bn-n an arx speculatoria in the time of the Romans, especially as the Roman road ran only a few yards below. Such a watch tower, or station of Roman sentinels, may have been converted into the hermita e of the holy Illtyd. At present, a yew-tree grows upon the spot: hence it may have since been a Christian oratory. Five miles further on the Neath road, occurs, on the right, a large stone, called Maen Llia, at the foot of a mountain called Ban Gyhytch. It stands upon the summit of the vale of Blansenui. This stone i^ evidently not Druidic it is a rude rhomb, with the angles truncated, abaut Ilt feet hii;h and 9t feet broad, composed of secondary granite. Mr. Jones thinks it was me nded as an o j ct to the eye of thf" traveller in the time of snow, on entering the glen of Llia from Yst.radfelit", whence it is perceptible for nearly three miles, and whence the Stirn Helin proceeded in a line as straight as it can be drawn. About one mih from the village of Trengarth, a little above the Aher, is a mound or barrow, of nearly the circumference of that of Crickhowell. Cross the Llia river, two miles, to Ystradvellte, two miles. The church at this place is like most of the churches in this country-rudt" and out of repair This is a chapel of ease to D< vynock. The Via Helina, after passing the great stone upon the mountain, near the summit of the vale of Senni in Devynock, enters Ystradfellte upon the east confine, when, after accompanying the turnpike road from Brecon to Neath for a mile or two, it takes its direc- tion west-west by north, into the little valey of Neath, and, skirting the north boundary of Ystrad- vellre, crosses Ystradgyniais a little way helow Blan Nedrl. Near this road, uftur it has departed from the Brecknock track, and upon the hill, before the traveller reaches Blan Nedd, is a stone, now thrown down, called Maen Madoc, a plate of which is given in Gough's Cambden. At a little distance, at a place which he calls Penmynidd, is another stone, having a sympuvium upon it. Upon the north of the village are Idln/l, the lime from which is conveyed chi, fly on horseback. The vale preserves strong traces of the ravages of some violent concussion which has at some time affected this country. It may be remarked in the Fall of the Mellte several yards below its former channel. In the summer season it runs in a confined rocky channel, till it flows oppositelhe village of Ystradvellte, when it steals into a small whirlpool on the south bank, where it is lost. The channel how- ever, which it pursues in the time of floods is seen covered with stones for about half a mile, till we come tc, a cave bdow. calhd Porth yr ogof (The Mouth of the Cave). Here the banks on both sides are nearly precipitous. This portal resembles the long and heavy stone mantelpieces over the fireplaces of our ancient halls. On entering this cavern, the rocks upon which we tread are of unequal heights,- at one step low enough to permit a tall man to advance without stooping-, and at the n. xt a child of ten years old must bow his head, creeping upon all- fours. On the left on entering, a nearly perfect dome is discovered, from the roof of which are suspended stalactytes and other calcareous concre- tions in great abundance, which make a brilliant appearance when lights are introduced, On the same side of the river a little lower and further in the cave, the river Mt lite is heard rippling among the stones, and soon after it falls into a tremendous deep and black pool in the centre of the cavern. The whole of the scene is horridly grand. At the lower end of this aeherontic gulpb, in a black rock, is a vein of calcareous spar, supposed to r< semble a naked child standing upoa'a pedestal, whence it is called Llyn y baban. Here the river is again lost for about 120 yards, after which in floods, it boils out below, with great fury. On the right is another branch of the cavern, supposed to extend many miles in length, where persons are said to have lost their way. Emerging from this cavern into light, the traveller may observe that the stones on which he treads, as well as the lower strata of the natural bridge, are of firmer texture, and more ponderous than the superincumbent rock, and, if he ascends to the top of the bridge, he will see evidently marks of its having been formerly overflowed with water. he rage of this mountain torrent after its ebullition from the rock is such during a flood as completely to divest it during its descent of the appearance of water all is vapour, foam, and wild confusion. At one time it falls in an unbroken cascade, and produces a m'sty cloud for several yards round. It then rolls and tumbles in fantastic directions, buffeted from side to side by irregular obstructions of pro- jecting rocks, for upwards of three miles, till it loses itself and its fury in theNes>th. Pont-Neatb-Vaughan, three miles. On the road to Llandovery, on the left, is St. David's, the name of a parish, forming the suburbs of the town ot Brecon, though formerly it was detached, and culled Llanlaes, or Llanddewi yn y maes (St. David's in the Field). This church con- tains nothing attractive in its exterior, yet- the building is light and net!, consisting of a chancel, naive, and tower at the west end, in which are four bells. Its interior is ceiled and flagged, the seats painted and niimbr-rf d. Over the entrance into the steeple is a gallery. The inscription mentioned in a manuscript in the Harleian collection is nearly ffaced, and the stone broken, so that only the two first and part, of the third and last words can be read. The inscription was: "Hie jacet ievan vab iohan vaeson cujus animce propiciemr deus amen." There are almshouses here, with a portion of garden ground attached to each, about 100 yards nearer to the town than the church, given by one of Ih.. family of Games of Newton for twelve female decayed housekeepers of the town of Brecon. Another r, cepiacle for the unfortunate is situated upon the banks of the Tarell, in this parish, i.e., the county gal, secured by a strong outward wall. To Llanspyddid, 1 mile, formerly written Llan- spytty, a house of entertainment for guests, an hosfitium much different from our inns in modern tinHs, where good refreshment fur man and horse was tn be hd without expensl". The church is close to the turnpike road, and though not ceiled it is well flagged, and the seats in good repair. It consists of a naive only, and on the outside is a small shed, con- taining a bell. The gravi stones in the church are numerous, and a headstone in the churchyard bears the name Gustavus Adolphus John, of Llanlloony, Carmarthenshire, who died 1765, aged 40. There is a stone in the churchyard, under which (the tradition of the country informs us) Brychan Brecheinog was buried. It is upon the south side of the church, measuring three feet high. Near the top is a cross within a circle. Aberbran, one and a half miles, the seat of the junior branches of the house of Abercambiis, is many centuries prior to that mansion. Upon a hill above Aberbran, called t he Gaer, are the vestiges of a small British camp, and in the vale below, at the fall of a small brook, running by Bettwas Chapel into the Usk, was Einon Sais's castle, of which not a stone remains. In 1738 this chapel became ruinous, and was repaired, after a Jaw suit, by the parishion- ers. About 1789 this chapel b,,c,,me dilapidated again, when the late Mr. Philip Williams, of Pen- pont, rebuilt it nearly at his own expense, erected a wall round the chapel yard, and planted evergreens and flowering shrubs. It wants only an elegant sp're to make it a perfect subject for the pencil. Upon the west side is a vault belonging to the Pen- pont family. Penpont and Abercamlais are both the residences of the Williamses. Three miles beyond Aberbran, one mile to the left, is D, vynock, or Defvnoc, from St. Dyfno>r. The church consists of two ailes a strong well- built tower contains two bells. The monuments and inscriptions are few. The church yard is next to Llanfrynach in extent, ard the tombs and grave- s'ones numerous. The pernicious custom of bury- ing within the walls was very properly discontinued about the year 1786 Besides Sir John Davy's hene- faction for the erection of houses for five poor peo- ple, a house for a schoolmaster, and a schoolroom, there are several others, as recorded upon a table placed in the d'lapidated entrance into the church. The whole of the hilly part of this country formed part of the F rest of Brecon, inhabited by wild beasts and uncivilised natives, who retaliated upon their invaders by descending into the vale of Usk for plunder. It was to protect travellers and the conquerors of Brecknockshire against the incur- sions of the barbarians of the forest that Rhyd y briw Castle was erected during the reign of Edward III. It is situated upon a small knoll, upon the west side of 'he Senny, near its fall into the Usk. It seems to have consisted of a tower only, sur- rounded with a walled court. The name of the farm on which it stands is Castell du, the Black Castle, or the black hole or dungeon, where the robbers from the mountains were confined, and frequently executed without trial. Il wyncyntevin lies oil the right, having crossed the Uisk, three and a half miles, near which is Rhyd y briw the chapel was originally built for the accommodation of the family of Llwyncyn tefn it is now more valuable than the living from the pro- due's of a coal mine. Cross the Clydach river, one mile, to Trecastle one mile. This place is considered as a ward of the borough of Brecon, and as forming part of the town of Llywel, though it is <-istanr. from that church and village about half a mile it consists of one s ragsliny: street,, formed of thirty or forty houses, remarkable for nothing but a good inn. It is divided by a brook called Honyn or Halogyn Upon the o'her side of the rivulet are some cottages and land, called Ti e'r Escob or Bishopsvone. Though not a market town, Trecastle has fairs on January 17, April 5, M y 21, July 2, August 14, October 14, November, 13, and December 14. From Trecastle mountain flow numberless rivulets, which fall into the river Gwydderig in its way to the Tawe, as the latter.widens on the north side of the mountains; while the Usk, upon the south, receives all the streams that fall upon that side The vale of Tawe might be conveniently visited from this place. The last arises from a pool, abounding with eels, called Llyn y fan, between the two lofty summits of Ban Brechieniog and the Ben Sir Gaen. North from Trecastle, a range of bills occurs, connected with those of Epynt, intersected from north to south by two valleys. Mr. Theophilus Jon, s says, The Via Julia, from Caerleon to Car. marthen, unquestionably intersected the parish of Lly wel, from south to west." He thinks it kept upon the south side of the Usk from Aberbran, and of Towy till it, reached Caermarthen. In Lly wel I think it proceeded nearly along the turnpike road called the Admiral's, from its having been suggested and planned by the late Admiral Lloyd, of Dan yr Allt, and there appears to me to be clear vestiges of it, upon several parts of the mountain, and particularly at Tal y sarn, and so on to Llys Bry- chan, in the parish of Llangadoc, in Caermart hen- shire. Others say this road passes Rhyd y briw and Trecastle, across the mountain, by the Black Cock public-house, at Llandovery, but I never could dis- cover the least trace of causeway upon this line. Antiquaries have adopted the latter opinion from a supposed miliary upon the mountain and the camp at Llanfair y bryn, near Llandovery. The stone referred to by Strange, engraved in the Archseologia, vol. iv., is said to have been dug up on the top of Trecastle mouniatn, near the Heath Cock public- house. Gough gives the inscription thus Impera- tori nostro Marco Casiano Latino Postumo Pio Felici Au¡! which may mean anything the reader pleases. It was removed in 1767, at'he expense of a Mr. Latham, supervisor of, excise, toLlandilo fawr, hll the words Impand Cassaino are now only legible. With respect to the Roman station at Llanfair ar y bryn, after a minute survey of the ground, I have not discovered the smallest vestige of the labour of ma°* ,^ar^ of the Legio secunda Augusti may have made this an occasional residence, but does not prove that it was upon the Via Julia. The situation indeed is Prectsely such as was chosen by the Romans. This capability reminds me of a story related by a gentleman to whom I had the honour to be intro- duced. An Englishman, travelling in Ireland, observing a milestone upon the brow of a hill, not many yards from I ipperary, on which was inscribed Jo Tipperary 11 M.les,"said «< what the deuce does thismean Tthe town is under my nose." » O'ch my jewel, said O Rourke, I see you arg no admirer of nature Wnat the dibble signifies the distance ? only look at the situation did you ever see so beau- tiful a^ situa<ion for a mile-stone in all your born days ?" Rhys ap Tudor, in gratitude to hi8 nephew, the wild Irishman, or Idio Wyllt, for hi* assist- ance in subduing his rebellious subjects con- ferred upon him the lordship of Llywel a yoke which did not sit easy. He endeavoured, however to strengthen his interest by marrying the daughter of Bleddin ap Maenarch, lord of Brecon, and the melancholy fate of his brother-in law made it necps- sary to take double precautions, both against the disaffection of his own subjects, and the power of his Norman conquerors. The heights of Llywel were admirably calculated for the station of his army. To. the salutary measures of Idio W yllt, this district was preserved from the rapacity of Bernard New- march. On quitting Trecastle for Llandovery, the rale of the Uk is deserted. Pa. the village of Llywel one mile one furl ittg The church, according to Giral- dus Cambt iensis, was burnt about the latter end of the 11th century, by a contending enemy. The present, fabric consists of a naive and chancel only, with a strong tower at the west end, containing four bells. The rood loft remains. The following names are inscribed upon tombs, and otherwise Edward -Jef- freys, 1684 Roger Jeffreys, 1714 Sibill, wife of Ho wel Morgan, Esq., 1687. On this road a charm- ingly wooded dingle is entered, with the brawling stream upon the left, working its way over a rugged bed of rocks. Cross the Nant y Meirch brook, to the Heath Cock public-house, three miles. The Gwydderig, devolv- ing from the hills, works its noisy way by the side of the road, till it falls into the Tawe, a little below Llandovery. At the distance of about one mile a fine plan is disclosed, stretching both to the right and left to a great extent, through which winds thp pastoral Tawe, which giv< sthe name of the vale. Lime in this district is the commonest manure. The houses are whitewashed Velindra, four miles five furlongs Llandovery, three-fourths of a mile. From Brecon Mr. Malking made an excursion to visit the vale of Tawe, but thinks it might be more conveniently explored from Trecastle down- wards, or up- from S, ansea. The following is an abridged account, from this minute and ingenious writer. A village fit, the mouth of the small river Isker, where it fads into the Usk, is enlivened by the vicinity of Aherisker Court. On a rising ground is a Roman catvp, commanding a view of the vale between Brecknock and Trecastle. Some part of the enclosing wall remains, and the founda- tion wall is entire. A quarter of a mile from this place, on the cause- way, is what Camden and others have denominated the Maidenstone it, is believed to represent a man and woman. Llanspyddid is a village on the south side of the Usk, with a small neat church, surrounded by vener- able yews. At a short distance the Brean joins the Usk, where the spacious lawns and extensive plantations of Penpont adorn the borders of the larger river. Abercamlais is a place well adapted to a philosophic and dignified life. It belongs to the Rev. Williams, canon resi- dentiary of St. David's chu'ch, and archdeacon of Cardigan, who has also a place near Brecon. In this district are Scots firs, which girt six feet, and upwards. The castle of Devynock is in a state of considerable decay. On approaching Trecastle the softer features of nature give way to the rude vast- ness of a mountainous district. The Black Mountain, towering above the village, is a leading object in this untameable scene. This mountain, upon which arises the UVk river, is forked like Mountdennv, and it has not been ascertained whether is the highest. In front of the inn at Trecastle the site of the castle may be distinguished, but all its honouis are laid low. Beyond is the small village of Llyw.1. On crossing the Black Mountain in a southern direction from Trecastle, the ascent is very long, and the character of the mountain impresses the-. mind wilh tiresome uniformity but the descent into the Vale of Tawe is singularly beautiful. This vale supplies scattered white cottages, depositories of lime, and the villages Capel Collwyn a,.d Tywyn. The trreatest curiosity of this extraordinary neighbourhood is the Cribarth lime rock, which is elevated to an immense height. On reaching the level of the vale the sinuous river assumes very charming features. The confined descent to Henneuadd by the railroad is romantically overhung, where a view from the wooden bridge is uncommonly beautiful, particularly by moonlight. There is an incommodious public-house just by. The present head of the Swansea canal is at this place. At Capel Coelbrert, between Hen- neuadd and Ystradvelltau, are the remains of a Roman road. To Hay, about the third mile, Talachddu, the church of which place is neatly ceiled and tolerably flagged and seated, with a clumsy tower, in which are three bells, Part of the rood-loft, as well as the steps, remain. A branch of the Lewises of Ffrwd- grech were formerly settled here, and had the advowson of the living. There is a parsonage house, a garden of about half an acre, a barn, beasthouse, and 47 acres of land, belonging to it. Llan y wern (The Church in the S iat-rp) lies about the same distance from the road upon the right. This small chapel is not ceiled, but has the common transverse ribs under the tile. It is tolerably flagged, and has a shed over the bell. Under the communion table are some tombstones. The estate of Llany wern is inherited by the family of the Bowens Trawstre, another tenement in the same parish, belongs to tho Philipses of Ponty wal. Wayn y mynach, or Monk's Head, is the property of David Lloyd, Esq., of Blan- clydach. Llwyn yr eida belongs to Mr. Thomas Williams. These are the principal proprietors of land within the precinct, who claim an exemption from the payment of tolls throughout the kingdom, as constituting part of the duchy of Llancaster. r. Previous to crossing the Talachddu b-ook, Llan- villo lies one mile to the right. The church is d, di- eted to St. Milburg, eldest daughter of Merwald, king of Mercia, and abbess of Wenlock, in ShropI shire, where she was buried. The feast here is on the first Monday in March annually. This fabric, surrounded by a few houses, has a clumsy ill-built steeple, containing three bells. In the front are twelve niches or spaces, probably once occupied by statues of the twelve apostles. The inscriptions are to the memory of James Parry, Esq 1779 Henry Powell, A.M., vicar of Llangadoc, in the county of Carmarthen, 1731 William Vaughan, clerk, 1709 a tombstone with a beautiful cross upon it in the yard, Thomas Bowen, Esq., of Tyle Crwn, 1764 near the church, Maudlen, wife of John Bowen, of Tyle crwn, 1731. For dust from dust at first was taken, Though dust to dust be now forsaken, But dust to dust must still remain, Till dust to dust return again. An eminence called Alltfillo, west of the church, where there is a British camp of great extent, affords a beautiful prospect. It forms an elongated circle upon the summit of the bill. Ir, is 208 yards long, and 46 broad. A foss surrounds it. A little west is a smaller eminence, appearing to have been a Disgwylfa, or station of a sentinel, fortified by an entrenchment. The only mansion here of any celebrity within the memory of man is Tredomen, the seat of the Awbreys for two or three generations. Cross the Talachddu brook at the fourth mile from Brecon. Pass a mile and a half, and one mile to the left is Trebarried, erected by,William Parry or William ap Harry Vaughan, about the middle of the seventeenth century, at present the inheri- tance of Mrs. Harley. This house is situated in hollow ground, to which we descend abruptly on all sides except the east. It has been for many years in the hands of tenants, consequently it is in an indifferent state of repair. The lower rooms contain some good portraits a black, wi, h the words, "Mora per lu partitia;" General Vaughan, in armour, dated 1560 an admirable portrait in sashed sleeves a female in the habit of a nun. In the chambers are portraits of Sir John Hawkins, 1591. and of his lady. The soil of the greatest part of this parish is good, and the state of agriculture on the road from Hay to Brecon is exceedingly favou.able to the industry and skill of the farmers but an exception must be made as to the road through this parish, which is extremely bad. Llandefalle lies at a short distance north of Tre- barried. The church consists of a naive of about 60 or 70 feet in length, a narrow aisle on the south, and a chancel 20 or 30 feet long. In the steeple are five bells. In the window of the south aisle is the crucifixion, beautifully coloured upon glass, and in some others of the windows are painted glass. The tombstones are rather numerous. Upon an emin- ence, being part of a farm called Pwllcwrw, in Llan- defalle parish, are the vestiges of a small British encampment. Upon the north confines of this parish is another, and in a lane, running nearly east and west, called Heol Enion, but more generally Per, heol Enion, on the side of which, near a gate leading to Crickadarn, is a stone of about four feet hiO'h by some supposed sepulchral, by others as markine'the boundary of Enion's property, probably Einon Glyd, lord of Elvel. Returning to the road, one mile upon the right is Tregunter, or Guntemone, a lordship given by Bernard Newmarch to Sir Peter Gunter, or Gauntd'or. This family r moved hence to Gileston, in Llanfigan, after seven generations, and continued in the male line till 1688, when it failed in most of the collateral branches, j he present house of Tregunter was built about 1764 by Thomas Harris, who purchased the estate, and devised it to Mrs. Hughes, the daughter and heiress of his elder brother, Joseph Harris, who resides here. This family of Harris was originally of Carmarthenshire) but settled t a' Talgarth about 1700. The eldest brother Joseph "rote several astronomic and mathematic treatises, held an offic in the Mint, and was esteemed by the learned and great of his day, yet has not one biog- rapher deigned to write his life Superior to the love of fame, he forbore to have his name printed upon his books. It appears from the inscription upon his monument in Talgarth church that he invent, d many mathematical instruments, and his political talents were well known to the ministers in power in his days, who failed not to improve on all the wise and learned ideas which greatness of mind, candour, with love of his country, led him to communicate. His reward is in heaven. Of Thomas Harris it is said that he was a great loss to the neighbourhood, as in him the poor always found a most bountiful benefactor, his heart and mansion being ever open to the feelings of humanity. The youngest brother, HO"'f'l, was more singular. Born at Treveca, 1713, placed at school by his parents at the age of eighteen, and destined for thp church in November, 1735, he entered St. Mary's Hall, Oxford, continued only one tetm. applied soon after for orders, but was rejected In 1744 be married Anne, daughter of John William of Skreen, Esq., by whom he had a daughter, who married Charles Pritchard, of Brecon, surgeon. In 1752 he laid the foundation of the Trev cca house. Many to support this establishment contributed largely, and others sold their all to reside among the family at that place, employing themselves in carding and spinning. In 1756 he offered to supply, at his own expense, ten light horsemen, completely armed and accoutred, to attend the troop of the Breconsbire Agricultural Society, which was not accepted. He, however, raised ten recruits at his own expense. In 1759 he received an ensigucy in the Breconshire Militia, and soon afterwards had the command of a company, accompanying them in their march through various parts of England. Ludicrous scenes occurred on these marches. One part of the regiment sung hymns, another roared loyal or bacchanalian songs. To appreciate so volatile a character is difficult rilln Religious frensy or the ambition of becoming a leader of a sect, became his ruling passion. Some ascribed to him the intention of enriching himself at the expense of his poor deluded f dlowets, but his will proved the reverse. His discourses were calcu- lated to inflame the passions of the mind to con- vince by reason and solid arguiiuiit was remote from his object. He either soothed the elect with dulcet phraseology, or hurled his anathemas against the carnal mind, terrifying this part of bis hearers by denunciations of fire and brimstone without end. He was assail rl with both prosecution and persecu- tion, which it Aimed his zeal and increased his popu- larity. It has been often remarked that a persecut ed cause always prospers. Measures entirely opposite to those have reduced his followers to an insignificant body. Though he reared this fabric with care, and devised it to trustees in order that it might con- tinue to be applied to the religious and charitable purposes lie intended, yet it is decaying rapidly, and the holy family of love disperse or die. Mr. Harris was warmly supported by Selina, the late countess dowager of Huntington, who resided principally at a house-called Lower Trevccea, which was adapted for the instruction of young men designed for preachers. That, purpose is no longer in view, and it is let. Part 01 Trevecca, as appears from the date, 1141, upon a stone in the front, which is a circle divided by a cross into four compartments, in each of which is a clumsy Batavian angel, with something like a bib and apron, holding a shield upon the breast, and a cross avellane over the head, and near the centre of the cross Jesus, 1576." This house gives name to the hamlet Trevecea or Trefecca, meaning Rebecca's Home, from a heiress of the name of Rebecca Prosser, who built it. Cross the Tri Frwd brook, one mile and a half. Rrvnllys (The brow near the court), a mile and a half, is a small village upon the turnpike road, about half way from Brecon to Hay. The church is a very indifferent, edifice. The steeple, containing five bells, is detached from the church, and placed at the east end. The Castle of Brynllys, according to Mr. King, in his third volume of Observations on Ancient Castles," is of Syrian architecture, and asserts that Breconshire was part of the country of the Silures. At, Brunless has been found again, as at Launceston, the remains of a keep or tower, of a singular construction, unlike anything Roman or Norman. Its situation seems to correspond with Charden's account of the subordinate kind of Median or Mingrelian ancient eastern castles. In latter ages it has been surrounded with magnificent edifices, all of which have perished, while this tower has defied the power of time, and remained, as at first, insulated and permanent It is built, in part, of small hewn stone. This tower, though it does not stand upon a high conical hill, yet seems to have been placed upon a small artificial mount, formed of stone, upon a little rise of ground beneath. At the bottom of this mount appears a modern forced entrance, made with great. difficulty, by way of breach. The original door of entrance is much higher, composed of two pieces cf stone bending so as to meet at the top in a kind of arch The LJyfni river flows by this fortress. Mr. T. Jones thinks this castle was built, by William the Conqueror, in his expedition into Wales in 1079 and 1080, and afterwards repaired and garrisoned by William Rufus. In 1608 it appears that the castle of Brynllys was the property of Sir Robert Knollys, in right ot his wife, who was of the Porthamal family. He conveyed it early in the reign of Chailes I to a Cecil of Allt yr ynis. About the middle of the seventeenth century, Thomas Cecil sold the castle and lands to W'lliam Morgan, of Llangasty tal y llyn, M.D., one of the Morgans of Wenalir, in Llan- ddetty, who by his will (1737) devised them to Edward Williams, Esq, of Llangattock Court, whose son, Edward Williams of Llangeny, in 1752 again sold the castle and lands to Francis Lewis, of LlaDelly, by whom it has been transferred to Mr. William Davies, the present tenant of the demesne. Talgarth lies about one mile to the right of Broyn- llis, and nine miles from Brecou. This towu or village is a borough by prescription, without privi- lege, jurisdiction, or municipal officers. The church is superior to most of the church-s in the county it consists of two aisles, which are ceiled and flagged it is rather low the tower consists of six bells; solidity rather than elegance predominates in the construction. The building upon the north side was intended for a school or vestry-room it is now used for a lumber room. The inscriptions to the memory of the dead are numerous among which are, upon the north wall of the chancel a monument, with a long inscription, to Howel Harris, who, in the affected language of Methodism, "fell asleep in Jesus at Trevecca, July 23, 1773." Not far from this is another to the memory of his two elder brothers, Joseph and Thomas. Joseph died in Lon- don, September 26, 1764, aged 62 Thomas, or Tre- gunter, died September 23, 1782, aged 77. There are eight fairs held at Talgarth in the year, i e., Feb. 2, March 12, April 18, May 31, July 10, September 23, November 2, and uecember 3. Cross the Llyfni river, and two miles beyond Broynllis Castle pass The Lodge on the right. (On the left to Builth, upon the banks of the Wye.) One mile further Pipton Chapel, on the right. A little further on the right is Glasbury, pronounced Glaze- bury, situate in the counties of Brecon and Radnor in British Y Clas, the green or verdant enclosure. The site of the late parish chorch may still be seen near the fall of the Llyfni into the Wye, where a few yew trees remain. The modern church, was finished about the year 1665, in a close, which is in the county of Radnor, giveei by Sir Henry Williams, of Gwernyver, called Close dan Coed y Bolin (the close under the pole wood). It stands upon shelving ground upon the south side of the road, consisting of a nave and chancel only, with a heavy tower, in which are six bells, and below a school-room, where children are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. The inscriptions are to the memory of the Sollers, Guuters, Williamses, Watkinses, &c. Upon an eminence south-west of the church are intrench- ments, formerly surrounding a British camp, called Gaer, but not a vestige remains of any mansion which belonged to th Norman conquerors who settled in this neighbourhood. The Solers, or de Solariis, had great property here until the middle of the 17th century. A farm house and some cottages are still called Pentre Solers, or Solerville. The Powels and Williamses were ancient families resident in this parish. Tre'r coed (pronounced Tregoid) a mile south- west of Glasbury, in English Woodtown, or WottOB, is the residence of the Dowager Viscountess Here- ford. It is supposed to have been built during the reign of Elizabeth by a family of the name of Wat- kins, and descended to Pryce Devereux, Esq., of Montgomery, grandfather to the present possessor. To Hay, four miles. Cross, by the way, the brooks Nantyscallen and Digedi. (Conclucktt.