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In the vicinity of Abergavenny there are several elegant villas which arrest the traveller's attention, particularly Llanfoist (W. Peter, Esq.), situated at the base of the Blorenge mountain, near the canal which winds along the side of the range leading to Pont-y-pool. This mansion appears to advantage on entering the town from Usk, or from the E. end of Tudor street, where the town gate formerly stood.

Moving towards the bridge, and looking towards the mountains, across the Usk, the Blorenge strikes our attention, down the concave side of which may be heard the rattling of the tram-waggons, conveyed upon inclined planes, bringing with them coals, iron, and limestones to the canal, limekilns, and coal-yard near its base. Passing the old bridge, of thirteen arches, over the Usk, we ascend the Blorenge, which rises to the height of 1720 feet. Close to the old bridge is another of five arches, of considerable height, erected for the purpose of preserving the level of the tramroad, or railway, for conveying coals and lime to Monmouth-Cap, on the confines of Herefordshire, distant 14 m. The Blorenge is one of the chain of mountains which extends from Brecon to Trostmont, below Pont-y-pool. The summit is covered with a russet-coloured herbage, forming a contrast to the underwood, the pastures upon the sides, and the forest trees which skirt its base. An immense tunnel passes from the opposite side, near Blaenavon, and emerges upon the side of this mountain, a distance of at least 2 m. in a direct line. The coal, iron, &c. are conveyed down to the canal in trams, by two inclined planes, of 500 yards each. Goods of various kinds are conveyed up the mountain, also in trams, which being connected with the heavier descending trams, by a chain that twists round a revolving barrel at the opening of the tunnel, they are drawn up, where they are unloaded, and return with heavy articles, to bring up the opposite tram, and so on, alternately. From the canal to the level near the bridge is another inclined plane. The lime is in much demand as manure, and the coal will probably, ere long, be carried to Hereford, since an extended railway already reaches half the distance. This extraordinary work was originally undertaken to convey the produce of the Blaenavon furnaces into the Breconshire canal, but it has been found to answer other valuable purposes.

At the works of the Blaenavon Iron Co. five furnaces are all in blast, blown with cold air, and six others erecting. This mineral property is one of the best and most valuable in the county of Monmouth, and these works have been long distinguished for the superior strength and general excellence of their iron. These five furnaces produce about 400 tons of cast iron per week, about one half of which is refined, and part of it made into cable iron, and the remainder is sold for tin plates and foundery work. This company is erecting extensive forges and rolling mills.

The mountainous territory containing these mineral treasures, was demised by the crown to the Earl of Abergavenny, and is held under lease by Messrs. Hill and Son, who reside at Blaenavon, 3 m. s. from the summit of the Blorenge, situated at the N. w. boundary of Afon-llwyd, a valley so called from the rivulet which runs through it. The steam-engine employed here, in supplying the blast of the furnaces, is one of the largest in use in operations of this kind. Two thousand persons are employed in the various departments of these works. This unfrequented district, formerly called the Wilds of Monmouthshire, now contains a population equal, perhaps, to any district in the county. The church at Blaenavon has been handsomely rebuilt, and near it a school is erected, with dwellings at each end for the teachers of the children of both sexes, belonging to the labourers. This school and dwellings were built and are supported

by the benevolence of Miss Hopkins, sister of the late Mr. Hopkins, who was the partner in trade of Messrs. Hill and Son. The Wesleyan Methodists, and some dissenters, have chapels in the vicinity. A benefit society is supported, who form among themselves an excellent band of music. Thomas Hill and Sons, Esqs., being proprietors of this district, have wisely allowed only one public-house. They are partners in the firm of Abergavenny Old Bank, and are generally beloved by those whom they employ.

In the vicinity of Abergavenny there is a very elegant small villa, belonging to lady Harrington, the entrance to which is tastefully laid out; and about 4 m. N. w. of the town are the handsome family mansion and pleasure grounds of Cwrt-y-gollen.

Passing the fine old bridge, of thirteen arches, over the Usk, the Blorenge Mountain rises to the height of 1720 feet. This is one of the elevations which form the chain extending from the confines of Brecknock to Panteg, below Pont-y-pool. The summit is covered with a russet-coloured herbage, forming a contrast to the underwoods and pastures upon its sides, and the large timber trees which skirt its base. This lengthened mountain forms the N. E. boundary of the valley called Avon Llwyd, from the rivulet which runs through it.

A principal EXCURSION from Abergavenny is that which leads to LLANTHONY ABBEY, a majestic ruin, seated in a deep recess of the black mountains, at the very extremity of Monmouthshire. The first part of the route lies through a romantic pass, between the Skyrrid and Sugar-Loaf Mountains, upon the Hereford road. Proceeding about 2 m., the church of Llandeilo Bertholeu appears on the r., and not far from it an antique mansion called the White House, formerly a residence of the Floyers, afterwards occupied by the Rev. C. Powell, rector of Llanfoist. Another ancient house, at the village of Llanfihangel-crugcorneu, seen through groves of firs, was a seat of the Arnolds, but now belongs to the Hon. W. Rodney. From this place to Cwm Yoy a footpath turns to the 1. among the mountains, through tangled forests and upon precipices impendent over the brawling torrent of Honddû, which here and there opens to scenes of the most romantic description. Immediately to the 1. of the road rises the Gaer, a huge rocky hill crowned with an ancient encampment. On the opposite side of the river stands the village of Cum Yoy, upon a steep cliff under a frowning hill. Cross the Honddû river and proceed 4 m. to Oldcastle, leaving on the 1. a house called Trewyn, a noble mansion, occupying a commanding situation. On the r. is another, called Allt-yr-ynys, in a singularly picturesque situation beneath the junction of the Honddû and the Mynow, a seat of the Cecils. Oldcastle is a small village, delightfully situated upon the E. slope of the black mountains which skirt the vale of Ewias. It is supposed, by Gale and Stukely, to have been the ancient Blestium of Antoninus, an opinion, however, founded merely on the discovery of a few Roman coins. Several encampments near the spot wear a Roman character. This place, to the sincere protestant, is peculiarly interesting, from the circumstance of having been once the residence of Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham, the companion of Henry V., afterwards chief of the Lollards, the first martyr of our nobility. He was burnt in 1417. This castle has been taken down, and a farmhouse constructed with the materials. Proceed by the Hatteral hill, on the 1., 3 m. to Longtown, a township and chapelry in the parish of Cledock, near Golden Vale, containing 116 houses and 768 inhabitants. Cledock is said to be the burial-place of the Welsh martyr, Cledog. Michael Church, Escley, lies 8 m. distant; a thinly populated place, about 9 m. from Hay.

AN EXCURSION FROM ABERGAVENNY.

Chiefly from Archdeacon Coxe.

HAVING received repeated accounts of the different and contrasted views from the tops of the Sugar-Loaf and Skyrrid, I determined to visit them both on the same day. I departed therefore at seven in the morning from Abergavenny, rode about 1 m. along the Hereford road, mounted the E. side of the Derri, a name given to a small mountain at the base of the Sugarloaf, which, from the summit, appears like a cone, and is called Mynydd Pen-y-fal. The sides of the mountain were covered with heath, whortleberries, and moss, to the height of a foot, which renders the ascent so extremely easy, that a light carriage might be driven to the base of the cone, nor more than 100 paces from the summit.* I dismounted near a rock which emerges from the side of the ridge, forming a natural wall, and reached the top without the least difficulty. This elevated point, which crowns the summit of 4 hills, is an undulated ridge about 4 m. in length, and 200 yards in breadth, with broken crags starting up amid the moss and heath with which it is covered. The view from this point is magnificent, extensive, and diversified. It commands the counties of Radnor, Salop, Brecknock, Monmouth, Hereford, Worcester, Gloucester, Somerset, and Wilts. To the N. w. stretches the long and beautiful vale of the Usk, winding in its course until lost in the recesses of the mountains behind the Bwlch, 4 m. beyond Crickhowel. On the s. it extends to the base of Pen--ca-mawr, below the town of Usk. It is bounded on the N. by the Clytha Hill, and on the s. by the magnificent Blorenge, and a range of hills leading to Pont-y-pool. To the N., a bleak, dreary, sublime mass of mountains, extends in a circular range from the extremity of the black mountains, above Lanthony, to the Table-Rock, near Crickhowel; the commencement of the great chain which extends from these confines of Monmouthshire across N. Wales to the Irish sea. To the E. I looked down on the broken crags of the great Skyrrid, which starts up in the midst of a rich and cultivated region. Above, and on the side of Brecknockshire, all was clear and bright; but below, and to the s., there was much vapour and mist, which obscured the prospect, and prevented my seeing the distant Severn, and the hills in Somersetshire and Gloucestershire. This elevated point is seen from Bitcomb-hill, near Longleat, Wilts; also from the the Stiper-stones, in Shropshire, near the borders of Montgomeryshire.

During my continuance upon the summit, I felt that extreme satisfaction which I always experience when elevated on the highest point of the circumjacent country. “The air is more pure, the body more active, and the mind inore serene. Lifted up above the dwellings of man, we discard all grovelling and earthly passions: the thoughts assume a character of sublimity proportionate to the grandeur of the surrounding objects; and, as the body approaches nearer to the ethereal regions, the soul imbibes a portion of their unalterable purity." Reluctantly quitting the summit, I walked down the side of the Derri, facing the precipitous crags of the dark Skyrrid, and in an hour entered the Hereford road, 2 m. from Abergavenny, where I arrived at half past 11. I would recommend travellers who visit the top of the SugarLoaf to ascend the Derrifach from the Hereford road, and to descend the side of the Rholben. The ridge of the Skyrrid seemed to be about a m. in

From an admeasurement by the late General Roy, this eminence was found to be not less than 1852 f. above the mouth of the Gavenny, at low water.

length, extremely narrow, generally not more than 30 or 40 feet broad, and in some places only 10 or 12. Its craggy surface is partly covered with scant and russet herbage, exhibiting only a stunted thorn, which heightens the dreariness of its aspect.

I passed 31 m. along the Ross road as far as Llanddewi Skyrrid, where there is an old Gothic mansion, now a farmhouse. It formerly belonged to the family of Greville, was sold by the late Earl of Warwick to Henry Wilmot, Esq. secretary to the lord chancellor, and became the possession of his son. From this place I followed a narrow stony bridle-way till I reached the extremity of the Skyrrid-fawr, and walked up a grassy path. I attained the summit without making any violent exertions, or experiencing much fatigue. I ascended to the highest point of the mountain, at its N. E. extremity, where a small circular cavity is formed near the verge of the precipice. It is supposed to be the site of a Roman Catholic chapel, dedicated to St. Michael, from which the Skyrrid has derived one of its appellations, St. Michael's Mount. I could observe no traces either of walls or foundations. The entrance, which is to the s. w., is marked by two upright stones, 2 feet in height: upon one of them are several letters rudely carved, among which I could only distinguish "Turner, 1671." I seated myself on the brow of the cliff, overhanging the rich groves of Llanvihangel-crugcorneu, and surveyed at my leisure the diversified expanse of country which stretched beneath and around. Although the summit of the Skyrrid is less elevated than that of the Sugar-Loaf, yet its insulated situation, abrupt declivity, and craggy fissures, produce an effect more sublime and striking than the smooth and undulating surface of the Sugar-Loaf and Derri-fach. On the N. E and E. an extensive and fertile region stretches from the centre of Herefordshire to the vale of the Usk, which, though a succession of hill and dale, yet appears a vast plain, broken by a few solitary eminences, and bounded by distant hills, gradually losing themselves in the horizon. The spires of Hereford Cathedral gleamed in the distant prospect; the remains of Grosmont Castle were faintly distinguished under the Graig and Garway; and the majestic ruins of White Castle tower above the church of Llanddewi Skyrrid. To the s. the gentle swell of the Skyrrid-fach rose like a hillock with the hills of Clytha, tufted with the Coed-y-Bunedd, and backed with the Pencamawr; beyond which appears the estuary of the Severn, under the cultivated eminences of Gloucestershire and Somersetshire. To the s. w., the eye caught a glimpse of the Usk, pursuing through copses and meads its serpentine course, under a continued chain of wooded acclivities. To the w. and N. w. I looked down on a grand dreary mass of mountains, extending from Abergavenny beyond the frontiers of Herefordshire, and domineered by the elegant cone of the Sugar-Loaf. The black mountains form the northern extremity of this chain, and are intersected by the sequestered valley of the Honddû. Beneath yawned the abyss of the stupendous fissure, which appears to have been caused by some violent convulsion of nature; and, according to the legends of superstition, was rent asunder by the earthquake at the crucifixion of our Saviour: hence it is also denominated the Holy Mountain, by which name it is chiefly distinguished among the natives. After contemplating the chasm above, I endeavoured to enter it down the w. side of the mountain; but, finding the declivity too precipitous, remounted the ridge, and descended the gentler slope to the E. Proceeding along its base, I turned round its N. E. extremity, which terminates in an abrupt and tremendous precipice, and, passing over fragments of rock, entered the fissure on the N. w. side of the mountain. This chasm is not less than 300 feet

in breadth the rugged side of the Skyrrid rises perpendicular as a wall, to an amazing height. The opposite crag is equally abrupt, though far less elevated. At some distance it appears like an enormous fragment, separated from the mountain. Its shape, and the strata of the rock, resemble that part of the Skirrid from which it seems to have been detached ; but a nearer view convinced me that it never could have fallen from the summit. Many similar fissures I observed in the Alps, and they are common in mountainous regions. The frequent springs, oozing through the interstices of the rocks, undermine the foundation; and the vast masses, thus deprived of support, either sink, or are separated one from the other, till, by degrees, great chasms are formed, and the mountain then seems to have been rent asunder, The w. side of the smaller crag which bounds the fissure is wholly overhung with underwood, and forms a singular contrast with the bare and rugged precipice of the present mountain.

Among other delightful situations in the neighbourhod of Abergavenny is Tydû, the seat of William Dinwoody, Esq.; a spot which exhibits the striking characteristics of a Monmouthshire view, where the extremes of wildness and fertility are blended like the colours of a picture.

A pleasant excursion may be made to the four hills which form the base of the Sugar-Loaf. These eminences are the Derry, Rolben, Crag Llanwenarth, and Llanwenarth-hill. They are separated by dingles, mantled with thickets of oaks, and watered by torrents, which heighten the effect of this romantic scenery by their incessant roar and glistening foam. They abound with picturesque beauties, and command extensive prospects. The traveller is at one time enveloped in wood; at another, views, equally grand, extensive, and diversified, break upon the sight.

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Skyrrid-fach is a beautiful swelling hill, rising to the height of 765 feet, richly luxuriant in wood and pasturage, commanding the most delightful and elegant prospect in Monmouthshire. Coldbrook-house is delightfully situated at the foot of this hill, amid grounds beautifully diversified and richly clothed with oak, beech, and elm. It has been the distinguished residence of two persons, equally memorable in their time,- Sir Richard Herbert, the intrepid soldier and flower of chivalry, and Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, the polished courtier, and the votary of wit and pleasure. The house was originally an irregular edifice, with a tower at each angle: the N. front, with an elegant Doric portico, was constructed by Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. It contains some family and other portraits. (See an account of Sir Charles, in Coxe's Monmouthshire, p. 270.) Beneath this attractive eminence, the vale extends from Crickhowel to the Clytha hills, watered by the Usk, which, meandering through rich tracts of corn, pasture, and wood, is occasionally lost in the midst of thickets, again bursting into view. Above the right bank of this beautiful river extends the chain of wooded eminences, from the extremity of the Blorenge to the rich groves of Pont-y-pool Park, Capel Hanbury Leigh, Esq. The mansion is a substantial edifice beautifully situated on a rising lawn: from the 1. sweeps the fertile district in which the mansions of Clydach, Llanarth, and Llansanffraid are situated. To the w. of the Skyrrid rises an enormous mass of mountain, among which are most conspicuous the towering point of the Sugar-Loaf and the magnificent swell of the Blorenge. The town of Abergavenny lies below, and is seen to great advantage. The views from the Great Skyrrid, and other mountains in Monmouthshire, are more extensive, but none so delightful as from this.

The road to BRECON lies on the N. side of the clear and lively Usk, in a romantic valley, accompanied by agreeable scenery, rich groves, and smiling

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