PREFACE.

THE following observations, on the manners of a people and appearances of a country, nearly connected with our own, were made at different times, but more particularly in the summer months of 1798.

As several publications have, of late, appeared under the title of "A Tour in Wales," &c. the present may seem to have little claim to attention, and an apology may be thought necessary, for intruding upon the public any thing further respecting a subject, which will, by some perhaps, be considered as already exhausted.

It may be observed, that the life of man is of short duration; but a day, compared with the time necessary for thoroughly surveying the multiplicity of objects around him; the brevity of life, therefore, stamps a value upon ideas otherwise unimportant, and raises into consequence descriptions that would otherwise be disregarded.

Every traveller sees, or fancies that he sees, something unobserved before, and that he is capable of communicating knowledge not obtained or imparted by others. Curiosity produces an accuracy and in

dustry of research; and the desire of relating what was pleasant to behold or difficult to obtain, induces him to conclude, that whatever was important to himself must be important to mankind.

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It will be admitted, that even in the same route different objects will strike different minds; and that the same objects will not appear of equal importance in the eye of every observer. To examine the elevations of Snowdon a Botanist would esteem weeks well employed; while, to the superficial traveller, who looks upon a country merely as a landscape, for the gratification of the eye of taste, the pursuit of Botany would be considered as the vagaries of enthusiasm ; as the minute investigations of the Antiquarian are the subjects of ridicule to the fashionable Tourist, whose pursuits might, in their turn, be regarded by some as the mere energies of folly.

A country like North Wales, almost inaccessible in many of its parts to the traveller, and, till very lately, but little frequented by the votaries of Science, must yet remain, in a great measure, unexplored. It affords, therefore, to the lovers of Natural History, ample room for speculation and research; an extensive field both above and beneath the surface offers itself to the eye of curiosity, and solicits the investigations of Science.

A Journey, undertaken for Botanical purposes, and with a view of publishing, at some future period, á

Flora Cambrica, cannot be expected to abound with learned Remarks upon the remains of Arts and Institutions; nor with those profound observations upon life and manners which would adorn the pages of the Moralist and Politician; yet, it would be impossible for the man of feeling to pass through a country considered as part of his own, but to which the manners and customs of its inhabitants, form so great a contrast, without taking some notice of its peculiarities. If it should be objected as derogatory to the dignity of a writer, that, in the course of this little Work, too much attention has been paid to humble circumstances, to "The short and simple annals of the poor," I must apologize in the words of a celebrated Author:

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"Let it be remembered, that life consists, not of a variety of illustrious actions or elegant enjoyments; the greater part of our time passes in compliance with necessities: in the performance of daily duties in the removal of small inconveniences: in the procurement of petty pleasures: and we are well or ill at ease as the main stream of life glides on smoothly, or is ruffled by small obstructions and frequent interruptions. The true state of every nation is the state of common life."

These Letters, addressed to a friend, were not originally intended for publication; they consisted merely of diarian memoranda on such objects as appeared singular or striking; with cursory remarks on the inaccuracies and erroneous statements of former

travellers: interwoven with historic facts and allsions to ancient usages, and the customs of other nations. They have been, in consequence of the solicitations of friends who had seen them, prepared for the press; and the Author has thought proper to avail himself of a few observations of others, to correct or illustrate his own; here he acknowledges himself obliged to the ingenious Aikin, and the laborious Pennant, whose volumes are as remarkable for accuracy of description, as for the nature of their contents. Sods a

The Writer of these Letters entertains no high expectations: he forms no sanguine views. I If from his pages the reader should derive any amusement, the Author will have the satisfaction to reflect that it has been afforded without recommending folly or administering to vice; and if he has added another volume of what is called light reading, to the many already before the public, it is one at which Modesty will have no cause to blush, nor Morality to frown. Such as it is, it is presented to the Public: 'the Author is answerable to the guardians of the public taste; on its merits or demerits it is for them to decide; and by their decision let it justly stand or fall.

Si quid amicum ergà bene feci laut consului fideliter]; Borer Non videor, meruisse laudem, culpâ caruisse arbitror,in