Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

BOUND AND ABOUT TOWYN. Towyn abounds in pleasant excursions, and the visitor, if the weather is favourable, need never be at a loss where to go and what to see. Every week- day during the summer months Mr. Carter's well- appointed coaches or Chars -a-banc, run from the railway station to Talyllyn by way of the Dysynni Valley, returning by a different route, or to Pennal and back, a delightful drive of about 20 miles, ten 01 Wllich Qr. the return journey are along the sea coast. If we take this trip we pass through what is known as "THE HAPPY VALLEY," and an opportunity is afforded visitors of ascend- ing Cae Ceinach hill, permission for which has been kindly granted by the Marchioness of Lon- donderry. A most charming view of the estu- ary of the Dovey and the surrounding country can be obtained from this point. RAIL AND COACH EXCURSIONS are arranged daily by the Cambrian Railways Com- pany to Tanybwlch and Maentwrog, the Raven and Cataract Waterfalls; to Dolgelley, the Torrent Walk, the Precipice Walk, Ty'nygroes, and the three Waterfalls to Cwmbychan Lake to which a combined and short walking tour over the moun- tains may be added. This does not by any means exhaust the programme as reference to the Com- pany's advertisements will show, but in this article we have to deal with these walk? and drives rather nearer home first premising that there is excellent boating and fishing on the Dysynni river which here empties itself into the sea. The first excursion to which we will refer is that DOLGOCII FALLS. TO TAL-Y-LLYN AND BACK. We start soon after ten o'clock in the morning from the railway station in a comfortable char-a-banc and are soon bowling along the main street. past the Church, the Whitehall and Corbett Arms Hotels up Maengwyn street into the Bryncrug road. In a few minutes the Cemetery on the right is left behind, and we soon reach YNYS-Y-MAENGWYN park where we just catch a glimpse of the historical and picturesque mansion of Mr. John Corbett, to whom Towyn owes so much. The ancient seat was burnt during the civil wars of 1643 to prevent its affording shelter to the Parliamentary party. Con- tinuing our journey three fields, called Dolyffrwya, are pointed out, on our left, within the area of which Prince Llewellyn is said to have fought a great battle. Further on we reach BRYNCRUG near which village there once stood the Manor House from which the same Prince wrote his letters to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and where 20 years later Edward 1. dated a charter. A mound or tumulus on the hill-side less than half a mile south "of the bridge is called Tomen Ddreiniog. At Bryncrug is pointed out the cottage where at one time lived Mary Jones, whose name is mentioned as the person who probably was the means of starting the British and Foreign Bible Society. Continuing our journey for about a mile and a half a halt is made at CEFNCOCH, a roadside inn,wheretheopportunity, first of taking refresh men iian-nrl a ftoi-mowJa £ v?niie^ry u Church is offered. The building stands on an eminence and is an ancient structure in the early- English style of architecture. There is an elaborately carved oak screen and rood loft said to have been brought from Cwmmer Abbey, near Dolgelley. A curious Norman font will also attract attention. Proceeding on our way we arrive in succession at the villages of LLANEGRYN AND PENIARTH, and then following the line of the valley with the Cader Idris Itange bounding the wild prospect on our left we wind round past one of the most remarkable features of this district and a prominent object from many points of view—Craig-y-Deryn, or, as it is more popularly called THE BIRD ROCK. This rock, the dwelling of the hawk and the cormorant, is about 700 feet in height and the view from its summit is only equalled by Cader Idris without its attendant fatigue. It derives its name from the number of birds which frequent it in the breeding season and thus find shelter for them- selves and their progeny. Other frequenters of the Craig are sheep, of the small mountain breed abounding in these solitudes. On the northern side of the summit are traces of fortifica- tions and on the opposite side of the vale are remains of Roman entrenchments. Pik, suming our course to Talyllyn, we soon arrive at the top of the hill leading down to ABERGYNOLWYN and this we descend on foot. Arrived at the village we see a very pretty church and beyond it are the late quarries of Bryn- eglwys. This is the terminus of the Toy Railway from Towyn. From here the journey to the lake is soon accomplished, the distance being about 3 miles. The view of the lake, as it comes into sight, is very charm- ing, and whilst the coach "puts up for an hour or two ample time is given for a walk along its banks or for a mountain ascent. Elistory says that the lake was originally can Red by a tremendous landslip which completely barred one end of the valley. How man) years ago it happened nobody ap- pears to know, but the little churchwliich has existed for a great number of years was built upon the debris. This barrier of earth and rock completely stopped the course of the Dy- synni and so its waters accumu- lated in the meadows until the present lake was formed. In the course of time the water found an outlet for itself and the lake gradually bei-Mi.e reduced m depth until it arrived at its presem. condition.

TAL-Y-LI.YN CHURCH is a Small and ^nmparaHvelv ancient, odificp and TAL-Y-LI.YN CHURCH is a Small and ^nmparaHvelv ancient, odificp and over the poreli is a Welsh inscription of which the following is a translation :— A great and holy house of refuge A royal quire In the face of God and the congregation Except with pure thoughts, Man, come not hither." Several hours can very profitably be spent at Taly- llyn if the visitor is fond of mountain climbs and romantic scenery. Cader Idris may be ascended from here or failing that a walk up to Llynycae is recommended. There is good trout fishing to be had in the lake and boating may be indulged in. The return journey is made by way of DOLGOCH VALLEY, and an opportunity is given to visit the beautiful waterfalls of that name. St. Cadfan is said to have often resorted to this spot as a recluse. The falls are easily reached from the main road the path leading thereto passing under the Talyllyn railway viaduct. Proceeding homewards we pass Dolau Dolangwyn, then Rhydyronen and the last feature of special interest is a fine old Elizabethan mansion which stands in its own grounds just off the public highway. Towyn is reached about a quarter to six o'clock. THE NARROW-GUAGE RAILWAY. This little railway runs from Towyn to Aber- gynolwyn and the varied scenery through which it passes is most impressive. There are four stations Rhydyronen, Bryiiglaf-, Dolgoch, and Abergynol- wyn At each of these villages there is much to be seen and admired. The waterfalls are not far from Dolgoch Station, and the trams run conveniently so that visitors can, if they wish it, go by one train and return by the next. Dolgoch is also the sta tion to alight ■fc the Bird Bock The road, how- ever,is not a very good one, and it is well to enquire one's way along the route. The railway station at Towyn is in a turning out of Maengwyn street, on the right. The carriages are, of course, very small and convenient, and the fares are moderate. r

AGRICULTURE. THE UNSEASONABLE WEATHER. When—within a fortnight of the end of 'he } ear — have we previously experienced such extraordi- nary mild, spring-like weather as that which pre- vailed during the greater part of last, week, despite the day of well-nigh universal fog with which it closed ? The atmosphere was soft and balmy, and on several days there were some hours of bright sunshine, interspersed in not a few localities with warm and occasionally copious rains, and varied by hailstorms with thunder and lightning. The cor- responding week last year was decidedly wintry in character, and it will be remembered as the week in which an earthquake was experienced over a considerable area of Southern Britain. The recent weather has been utterly unseasonable, and the I prolongation of unduly mild conditions until almost the close of the year gives rise to a somewhat un- comfortable foreboding as to what the near future may have in store. A sudden and pronounced decline in temperature would adversely affect many young field crops, the tissues of which are turgid with moisture; and if, as some weather-seers are inclined to prognosticate, we have yet to face a SfiV&m cooa/-»n, -Jfc j", to bo laoprod fcliafc fchc ohange will be gentle and not abrupt. All prospects of a rising market for Christmas fat stock disappeared last week, an excessive supply of beasts on the one hand and the discouraging character of the weather on the other, having combined to depress prices to a quite unremunerative level. This state of affairs was by no means confined to the great markets, such as London and Liverpool. THE LAMBING SEASON. With the present prospect of a green Christmas the lambing season, which begins this week, will hardly open very auspiciously among the earlier Down flocks. Despite the care which is commonly exercised in selecting the most suitable site for the lambing pen, the land is as moist that more than an average quantity of litter is likely to be called for at the outset, whilst the continuance of mild, damp weather should be an incentive to shepherds to utilize to the full the valuable antiseptic measures which modern science places at their disposal. Dry, frosty weather is undoubtedly the most favourable to shepherds' interests at lambing time, but, failing this, they still have fairly within their grasp many methods for the reduction of lamb mortality such as were quite unknown when the older members of their craft first entered upon their arduous and responsible duties. IMPORTS FROM IRELAND. Cattle contributed the most noteworthy feature in our imports of jive animals from Ireland during November, they having been sent over to the number of 104,869, which is the largest monthly total this year excepting that. for the preceding month of October. Pigs came across to the number of 78,302 a total which has this year been exceeded only in January and October. Sheep did not muster more than 51,674 head, which is the smallest- total recorded since April. The number of horses brought over from Ireland during the month was only 2,593, or the lowest total since February. INFECTIOUS DISEASES The outbreaks of swine fever in Great Br tuin in the week ended December 11 numbered 20, the same as in the previous week, whilst in the equi- valent week of last year the total was 63. The pigs slaughtered as diseased, or as having been exposed ro infection, rmmbeted 330, as against 677 in the preceding we, (c and 1.359 in t lit) correspi>n.1 i.-iy week of 1896. In .he week tinder nm ic<- i »rr>- \v re eight outbreaks "f anUm.x. 17 .-ui break* I): L I-UKI and seven cases of rabies in dogs. -+-

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.— Approximate return UF traffic receipts, for the week ending December t9UI, 1897. Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, 21,749; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ 2,636; total for the week, £ 4,385; aggregate from commencement of half-year, £ 148,461. Actual traffic receipts for the correspond- ing week last year Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., £ 1,894; merchandise, minerals £ 2,668; total for the week, £ 4,562 aggregate from commencement of half-year, £ 144,586. Decrease for the week, passengers, parcels, &o., £ 145; decrease, merchandise, minerals, &c., £ 32; total decrease for the week, £177; aggregate increase, passengei s, parcels, &c., £ 1,425; aggregate increase, merchandise, minerals, (fee., £ 2,450; aggregate in- crease from commenoemont of half-year, £ 3,875.

«. A new element of difficulty has been cast into the negi>ti;<Hons in regard to Crete by Russia inti. matiug definitely that she will not allow as Governor anyone but a member of the Orthodox Clin rch. Mr William Terriss, the well-known actor, was a.nfiled nn Thursday as he was entering the Ad I "II i Tlldl tl(. He was in company with a 1"°" I,n H nlHn, wi", "ft"I"\ arris gave 'he name >■ Pi • ii- up "d .ill. •! hon I hi ieein he 'J/d', v'" i.1 ■'(>• in a "PIT >11'0:: li-.r- •: 11 ■" U:f'. t ry- ;«!•• Hi q^'i i': !■■■■ ct 'iH'ii had assembled ill '»••• tll W 1'1' were horrified when the terrible news was communicated, aud at once dispersed, the theatre being ciosed. SPECIAL STOCK OF BALL "PROGRAMMES -Mr SUITABLE FOR T7U-NCY ^AILDS THE JU AND Kj /CHRISTMAS CIRCULARS \y OEASON AT THE K3 COUNTY TIMES OFFICE WELSHPOOL & ABERYSTWYTH.

gratifying in the extreme. The health of the children is of course above everything else, and in this district their sanitary requrements receive the fullest attention. On the numerous enjoyable excursions from Towyn—by the Narrow Guage Railway and by brake-we need not now enlarge. Suffice it to say they are all among the most delightful of their kind. There are excellent livery stables in the place, and good horses and carriages can be obtained at any time. The hotel and lodging house ccommodation is excellent, and the terms every- where are very reasonable. After all is said and done, Towyn remains, in fact, as desirable a holiday resort and place of residence as anyone could possibly wish to find. THE BIRD ItOOK-ANOTHER VIEW.