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ROUND THE TOWN.

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ROUND THE TOWN. IV. On the Devil's Bridge Coach. A few days ago it was my pleasure to find myself on the box seat of the Waterloo Coach ready to accompany it on the round trip. As some 2000 passengers annually avail themselves of this magnificent drive by this coach it is therefore within the scope of these articles, and I cannot do better than let visitors know what is in store for them, should they care to avail themselves of the Messrs. Morris's conveyance. The day was an ideal one for a drive, just 28 miles from start to finish. The passengers were soon safely stowed aloft, their impedimenta inside, and at the stroke of ten, the driver was off, and the four horses well in motion. The route is well known, yet it will bear describ- ing from the point of view of one who .has also walked the entire distance round. More than 35 years ago Mr. Morris was the first to open up this drive to visitors, and to-day still finds him to the front, and personally looking after the comfort of his passengers. The highest altitude reached on the outward journev is°that of 989 feet at the ninth mile stone, i.e., a rise of 110 feet for every mile. On the return journey the passengers reach a height of 1027 feet above sea level, at the Pass of Bwlchnantyrarian, where the finest view of the ride suddenly bursts upon us as the coach emerges from the wild pass. The chief mountain peaks seen just as we pass the eighth mile stone are those of Snowdon, Cader Idris, and Plynlymon, from the latter of which comes the unfailing supply of the pure drinking water, so highly beneficial to Aberystwyth. Awav to the left of us as we press cn to the Bridge* is Darren mine, which has been worked both for silver and lead. This is probably one of the oldest mines in the country. It was here that about the year 1865 Captain Nicholas whilst work- ing in a basin of copper water discovered several primitive mining implements of stone and wood, which without doubt were the records of miners who worked here before the use of iron instruments. When found they were extremely pliable, but the action of the air speedily rendered them stiff. It is said that the spade, which formed part of the find is still at Goginan; if so I much wish that word could be sent me as to its whereabouts, and I would gladly go to see it. Remains of an early period are not infrequently found in this district; I have no hesitation what- ever in saying that all finds of like nature should at once be deposited in the College Museum. One shudders at the probable ultimate fate of the battle axe found by a farmer, and still I believe, in his possession at Ponterwyd. A keen eye. about the eighth milestone out will fix itself upon the fortifications of Bwadrain, whilst within one mile of Devil's Bridge are the perfect remains of the Tyncastell fortifications. A coach drive teaches one many things. I was privileged to overhear part of a literary conversation being carried on in one of the most romantic spots through which we drove. It was astonishing to hear that Marie Corelli writes very like Black, so charming you know, all atoms and heather!" What a number of things ladies finditnecessary to take for a coach drive. One of ourfair passengers audibly recited hers—a fan, a cloak, a basket of sandwiches, some work, a novel, sweets, and then as if to complete equipment, just before the coach started, her husband—'that stupid lad was sent into the Hotel to find a certain indispensible hat pin with a bead top, dear, I can't go without it.' Arrived at the Bridge the passengers are im- mediately photographed on the coach; should you not desire to see your portrait eventually adorning or otherwise the streets of Aberystwyth, a quick manoeuvre is necessary on your part to dismount ere the skilled operator has time to say Thank you.' Who built the original bridge ? I think there "Can be no doubt whatever in ascribing the wonder- ful feat to the Knights Hospitallers,' and to no •other p"opl, Why so ? The chief, or at any rate one of the prominent objects of the order, as its name implies, was hospitality-to establish places of rest and entertainment for the accomodation of pilgrims and travellers. Their patron saint was, of course, St. John. It is recorded and well authenticated fact that at one time the whole of the parish of Ysbytty-Ystrad Mevrick was the property of the Knight s Hospi- tallers. There we find a chapel dedicated to St. John, also another (mark this well) at Yshvttv Ystwyth, a few miles distant from it. These two are on the south side of the bridge. On the other or north side at a distance of some two miles (again mark this well) lies Ysbytty Cen- frn, with another chapel dedicated to St. John. Here then we find three of the Hospices within a short distance of each other, and at each a chapel, dedicated to St John, the patron saint of the Knight's Hospitallers. Now what more likely than the inference that these three hospices (the word ysbytty is the same as hospice) was established by this order, and as one of them is on a different side to the other two -that. the bridge (circa A-D. 1150) was thrown over the chasm by these Knights Hospitallers, for facilitating the communication between the hospices 'In the churchyard of Ysbytty Cynfaen are four lartre stones so placed as to form the quarter of the circumference of a circle. The largest of these is that to the east, which measures about eleven feet above the ground, two of the others form gate "posts and stand to the southward. This was in all probability a Druidical Circle and occupied the site of the present church. The most timid of passengers need have no fear in trusting themselves to the competent and care- ful coachman, who so steadily drives this noted coach. He knows his business well, and what is Tnore, he does it. Both driver and guard are intelligent, men, able to give information as to the district, and see after the welfare of their ^Jassengers. The time of arrival leaves ample time for visitors to see all the wonders of this remote part of 'Cardiganshire to have refreshment at any of the few houses at the Bridge (their dleanliness and the 'Courtesy of their inhabitants are noted features), and to'be ready to again mount for the homeward drive aV3 o'clock, the coach being timed to arrive ;at the Promenade at 5.30 p.m. As T'hope before long to say something in a foture article, about the mines which we pass after leaving 'Ponterwyd I shall not now dwell on 'the Subject. Another good story with whi h as usual to -close. Some people, without meaning it, say itwug-s in .,a hard, unthinking way. A woman, whoee 'husband "fey dving upstairs sent her daughter to see if there "vas any tit-bit or dainty he fancied, for tea. 41 Well, Janie, what does he say ? "He says, ^lotfher, he Chinks he could peck a bit. of your fcani." t' Tell him# he can't have any, girl, he. feaows bright-well I'm a keeping' it for the funeral." il PHILIP SIDNEY.

WIT AND WISDOM.

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WORLD IN A WEEK.

EISTEDDFOD BOW STREET.

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! YSGOL LLANILAR AG ADDYSG…

TRE'RDDOL.

YR WYTHNOS.

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LLANIO ROAD.

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CARDIGAN.

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