but also have plunged the nation into confusion, and perhaps into a civil war. Did you ever hear of a plot half so terrible as gunpowder plot, and are you not heartily glad that it was found out before Guy Fawkes set fire to the train of gunpowder?

CHAPTER XXVII.

Parley tells about Wales. Inhabitants. Mountains. Rivers. Ancient Castles.

Being fond of mountainous places, I was very glad to find myself in Wales. It is very different from England, for it consists, almost altogether, of mountains with deep valleys between. The peaks have no trees upon them, and they have a ragged, bare and desolate appearance. Torrents and rivulets come leaping down their sides; sometimes shining in the light like silver, and sometimes darkened by the shadows of overhanging rocks and precipices.

Yet these wild regions are traversed by good roads, and in passing through the country, a traveller is fre

I

quently delighted with the appearance of green valleys, white cottages, and quiet towns. The people have a peculiar dress. The men wear blue coats, breeches, and stockings, with red waiscoats, and their shirts are of blue or red flannel.

The women wear a jacket made tight to the shape, and a petticoat of dark brown or striped linsey-woolsey, bound with different colours. They usually wear hats like those of the men, and as they are very industrious, it is common to see them knitting, while they are walking from one house to another.

Wales is divided into North and South Wales. The principal mountains are in the former. Its valleys are deeper and narrower, and its scenery more wild and rugged. In South Wales, on the contrary, the valleys are broader, more fertile, and full of towns and villages; they often spread even to wide plains encircled by mountains.

There are many rivers in Wales, and though none of them are large, several are very beautiful. The most celebrated, in North Wales, are the Severn, Conway, Dee, and Clwyd; those in South Wales, are the Towey, Usk, and Wye.

This last is the largest river in Wales, and is very famous for the fine scenery along its banks. Sometimes, it winds between grassy meadows, and sometimes the steep cliffs overhang its surface. Many ancient castles, now falling into ruins, stand upon its margin; some of these are celebrated in history.

They once belonged to the warlike chiefs who lived among these wild mountains, and spent their time in war and the chase. They were bold and daring men, and the story of their deeds is full of strange adventures.

The Welch have a language of their own, which is spoken by all the country people; but the English language is chiefly used in the towns. The principal manufacture of Wales is flannel, in which it excels all other countries. I have no objection to wear the flannel of the Welch, but I would not undertake to learn their language for a trifle. Every word sounds as if it had been split into three or four parts in the throat. No Welch language for me.

Wales abounds in copper, lead, iron, coal, and other minerals: silver has been found in one part of Cardiganshire.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Parley Tells of Caermarthen.

Caernarvon. Swansea.

Tenby. Anglesea. Menia Bridge. Holyhead. Copper Mine. Coal Mine. Iron Mine. Slate Quarries.

CAERMARTHEN is the chief city in South Wales. It is situated upon the river Towey, and has nine thousand inhabitants. It was once surrounded by walls and defended by a stone castle. This is now in ruins, excepting one of the gates, which still remains, and is used for a prison.

Caermarthen is a well built town, though it has rather a strange appearance; many of the houses being in a curious style of architecture. A large part of the inhabitants are engaged in making tin plate, and in manufacturing iron. The town is not far from Bristo', and has some commerce by way of the Bristol channel.

Caernarvon, situated upon the river Menai, is one of the largest towns in North Wales. It is surrounded oy a wall which is defended by a number of round

Towers. There is also a castle in the place, in which Edward the Second, one of the Kings of England, and the first Prince of Wales was born.

The town is well built, and has a good harbour. The number of inhabitants is about six thousand, and they carry on a good deal of trade with London, Bristol, Liverpool and Ireland. They manufacture flannels and stockings in great abundance, and obtain a good deal of slate from the quarries, and copper ore from the rivers. They export a great many articles of these various kinds.

The inhabitants, in the neighbourhood of Caernarvon, live in a state of great simplicity. Their dress is very plain, and their food consists chiefly of milk, and cakes made of oatmeal. Encircled by their hills and mountains, these people seem to live in contentment and happiness, satisfied with their own quiet valleys, and careless of the great world around them.

Beside Caermarthen and Caernarvon, there are several other considerable towns in Wales. Swansea is a flourishing sea port. Tenby has a fine port, and is a fashionable place for sea bathing.