and importance. This now small hamlet, on the banks of the Severn, consisting of a few houses, was once of consequence, as the remains in the vicinity shew. The adjacent fields, by the inclosures intersecting each other at right angles, are said to represent the numerous streets it once consisted of; and the hollows, from their regularity, as evidently discover its ancient fosses, and shew that the fortifications were of considerable extent. On the North side are the remains of a rampart, called Gwyn Vynidd: Eastward, Rhos Ddiarberd, in the parish of Llanddinam, where, beside entrenchments, there is a large barrow; and at a place called Cefn Carnedd, on the West side, are similar remains. Above Llanddinam Church, on the top of the hill, is a remarkable Fortress, called Y Gaer Vychan, or the little Fortress, marked by several fosses, and, probably from the shape, a British Post. The Church of Llanddinam stands pleasantly on the abrupt rising, that juts out like a promontory into the vale.

Intending to follow the course of the river to its source, we took the lower way, by which we avoided the arduous and difficult passes of the Carno Mountains, and could proceed without the disagreeable appendage to the sentimental traveller, a guide. This tract of country is enriched by nature and population; it unites in a happy assemblage objects which please by their tranquil beauty, and those which surprise by their stupendous grandeur; woods, orchards, verdant pastures, and well-cultivated fields, are intermingled in rich profusion; neat farms,

gentlemen's seats, and wooden bridges, of rustic workmanship, thrown in several places across the river, heighten the colouring of the landscape.

The road is highly picturesque; for the vale begins to contract, inclosed by steep lofty hills, whose bases in many places are fringed with close hanging woods. Among the most considerable are those of Berthlwyd, beneath which are the remains of an old mansion, belonging to the ancient family of the Llwyds. On the North side of these woods is a small lake, called Llyn y Afange, or the Lake of Beavers. From several places in Wales taking their name from this animal, there can be little doubt of its having been once an inhabitant of this country. That there are none found at present, cannot be an objection; since there is the greatest proof of the Wolf and the Roebuck having been very numerous, (Vid. Rowl,) and these have in the same manner given names to several places. The edict. of Edgar accounts for

The Princes of North Wales having, for a length of time, neglected to pay the tribute exacted by the King of London, Edgar appeared with an army to enforce it. By a measure, as wise as it was humane, he changed the pecuniary tribute into a requisition of 300 wolves annually; creatures that were very destructive both to the Welsh and English on the borders. In the third year, it is said, there were none to be found; and the Princes of North Wales became exempt from acknowledgement to the King of England. Edgar seems in this instance to have been actuated by the same motives as Solon, who enacted, that whoever brought a he wolf was to receive five drachms, (the price of an ox;) and for a she wolf one, the price of a sheep. Vid, Plutarch.

the extirpation of the one, and the defalcation of the woods for the disappearance of the other.

An objection has been raised from the etymology of the word Afange, being an abbreviation of Avonog, fluviatilis, as Llwynog, a Fox, from Llwyn, Sylvaticus, and therefore might mean an otter, or any aquatic animal; but from the description given of it by the old poets, that it was an amphibious animal, having the fore feet like a dog, those behind like a goose, of a dark grey colour, with an oblong cartilaginous tail, with which in swimming it used to steer its course, there can be no doubt as to the identity of the animal. Gyraldus says, they abounded in his time; and in his Iter makes many remarks upon their superior instinct and subtlety.

The veracity of Gyraldus has been frequently questioned, yet if we consider that he wrote in an age when nothing would please, that was not calculated to excite admiration (far less minuteness of observation, and accuracy of description,) allowances must be made; yet he will not shrink in comparison with his cotemporaries. If we allow somewhat for prejudice, and somewhat for the changes that must in several centuries have taken place, the. Monk is far from being a despicable or unpleasant companion through the Principality, to this day. His account, in this instance, is unquestionably confirmed. The beaver was called Llost-lydan, or the broad-tailed animal, and the skin was esteemed a luxury, and formed the chief finery of dress in the time of the great Cambrian Legislator, Howel Dda;

it was valued at 120 pence, while that of a martin was 24; an ermine, otter, wolf, or fox, was only 12 pence. Vid. Leges Wall. 260, 261...

Adjoining Berthlwyd is LLANIDLOs, a poor inconsiderable town, taking its name from the Saint (St. Idlos) to which its small neat church is dedicated. The roof is supported by six arches, the columns of which are surrounded with neat round pillars, enriched with capitals of palm leaves. The date in the roof, 1542, favours the account given by the people, that they were brought from Cwm Hir, in Radnorshire, at the dissolution of that monastry. This, though small, is the only town of consequence in this district; and from the regularity which appears in its plan, the streets crossing each other at right angles, with a good market-house in the centre, seems of Roman origin. It has a very old wooden bridge over the Severn, at present in a very decayed state, and which is only used in times of flood; at others the river is fordable. It has a large market for woollen yarn, which is got up by spinsters in the country, and part unmanufactured is sent every fortnight to Poole.

At Glyn Avren the vale contracts so much, as to confine the waters within a very narrow bed ; and the noble river, on whose bosom ride the wealthy fleets from the Western World, here dwindles into an inconsiderable stream. Salmon are known to force their way up to this remote spot for the purpose of depositing their spawn, and several sorts of fish, such as samlet, trout, pike, and grayling, are at times

caught here. (Vid. Pennant.) Wearied with following the meanderings of the river, and meeting with few plants that are not found upon the banks of most streams, our anxiety increased to discover the appearance at the scource, judging, from the ground we had already trod, we could not be far distant. Every human being we met was accosted with a volley of questions upon the distance from it, and the nature of the road; the result was, that we had yet twelve miles to pass, before we could obtain the object of this excursion. Our authority was of that dubious nature, as to render it impossible to guess how many statute miles were included in the number.

We had experienced so many disappointments from the variety of erroneous statements and contradictory reports, respecting the distances of places, that we were little inclined to place any degree of confidence in our informers. However, when ignorant of the extent of country, and the object of pursuit, it is natural to solicit information; and though that information may be far from accurate, yet coming from persons supposed to know, we esteem it better than none. The positive declarations of locality tend to cheer the imagination under dreary prospects, and incline the judgment to confide in the representations of hope. The vale was now shut in by lofty mountains to the right and left, through the apertures of which several streams rolled down the cwms to bring their tributary waters to the Severn. We pressed forward sometimes along the trackless vale, sometimes ascending the steep acclivities of the