The Cardigan Bay Visitor

HARLECH (for Information sec th page of Cardigan Ban Visitor.

MACHYNLLETH. R. (Mart; Howe'l and Mr™!) £ ounty Court Registrars, Mr I). Thomas. cheini<a* «+ Evans. Stamp Office, Mr J. WWciub Mes?KR°Tma?ter',15JX- £ >Vil^ct' sedative Club, Mr D GillartS &1 Davies Con" Post closes fo,P°AV'VL E;EGULATIONS. mediate towns at Aberystwyth, Dolgelley and inter- ior Abervutt tu a'm"» an<i to all parts at 9.0 a.m. mail at 6 30 n m a"dC.orris at 4,40 P-m- 5 general night Beliverv'f^ minutes extra with extra stamp. S«nda7there oPar?vt7'3° P"m- an<iat5.30p.m. On at 6.30 d m tJ?06 i!Ve^y at 10 a,m' Post closing Week d-lva T f Sraph office open from 8 to 8 on y > and from S to 10 a.m. on Sundays. BANK. Jonesti0nal Provinoial Sank,Manager, Mr H. Lloyd p PLACES Of WORSHIP. English services at St. Peters and Christ Church as tliPi rv. u Pres^>yterian Chapel; Welsh services at deDffldmt wSiWe11 aS Calvmistic Methodist, In- dependent, Wesleyan and Baptist Chapels, «nn.„ t Bof;TINS> BATHING AND FISHING. Lumley Thnm D°Vey be hired Mr Hugh neighbourhood tl! 8T6 f C01reuient sPots in the bathing m the river, tion in these wavs but tv, • opportunities for recrca- ySSSiEB^SSi held by Sir Watkins Williams Wynn. It "is st SmTj ThUttb<' ?e<!e!aar>' niay bo oU-iinJl Cem^ v35^c,.Che,m"t'0r °f riVer »' TJ RECREATION GROUNDS. Penrallt is a precipitous hill overlooking the town and commanding a full view of the valley and sE k wic'&L, !he a hm<? «><= ih IfTh! dde of th° Lr'vif °'"e Smm^n m oil™ rickKd7ic^.giVeamplegrOU°d*forlawn t MINERAL SPRINGS. There are chalybeate wells just outside of the town at Llynlleodd, as well as at Hafodygarreg H miles out of the town on the Aberystwyth road. There are open baths at Penegoes, one mile to the north, which have been uaed for generations and have the reputa- tion of having cured people suffering from rheumatism. M SITUATION, &C. < ^Machynlleth, which is supposed to have been the Jj 8 Ci?a 0 tije Romans, is situated on the fine salmon i er W It stands in a magnificent valley where everal passes through the surrounding mountains • converge, and is five miles from the sea. ,leU J. ^^yndwr, who in 1402 made the t struggle for Welsh Independence, is said to have summoned a Parliament at Machynlleth, at wW« S? P.r°claimed Prince of Wales. The house town bafl is held is still intact. An old appearance to the town *ormerly Save a (luaint by » eW ^k°Ker ti'ft f3 WM coming-of-ase of tlio x ». 1 to commemorate the then Viscount Castlereaeh of Londonderry, earned on in HIP f^r„ § flannel manufacture is enamelling at Esi?Prc«>;Tn an(i, neigbbourhood, slate there are extensive sla°^ °n -Corris RaUway> and Mawddwy, and Glandivey.68 at Corris> Dhia3 To th WALKS. turning to\1fe left at ?ver.the South Dulas, to the Cambria« v ^hngerrig, along the river bank the old DOVP K -j16' ence along the Dovey river to into the towny. ndg6 and the tu™Pike road leading geSebrid^ ? ,town' OVer the Dulas by Felin' Woods to P vi° • on old road, through the the DOVPV a'er and Bryntudur, where the valley of Dinas Mawddwy. fuU Up t0 Mallwyd and Penego^H a^0D8 the road to the east for 1^ mile when schools arc r^acbe<*> a picturesque village. Near the Wilson tV.mTra!baths> I.t was in this village that visiting +u G v. dscaPe painter was born. After and procep^0 i rc^' cross tlie road Past tbe Vicaragc> tillage wb a nS a lane to Penrhosmawr and Forge among bo lS6 -^u^as descends over craigs and runs to the aii* + ers and scenery gives fine opportunity several m- ^ere» 't is said, the Romans worked ivv-covJ11 and manufacured their goods. Cross the y^lleth r bridge and follow the road into Mach- To the east end of the town and turn to the right, side Mine, and continue the road to the river Ao1"^01001^ Quarry» Forge village and the then r 48 u beneath to the left. Rhiwlwyfan farm Iron and commands a view of Uwchygarreg rance nfUr > ^be Ceniarth valley and Plyiuymon when on mcluntains. Follow the road to Bwlch farm, Glanvrriffv. fW0 roads may be taken—to the right past shin marl arm and a pretty stream, into the town turnpike ru^nmg past Gelligoch into the Machynlleth bill wwlad' or' a southerly course over the estuarvLlyfnant Valley and the Dovey To th seen. Hill, bv^8?11^^1 ^bc town and ascend the Wylfa which was ane,^° the left. At the summit is Brynglas Pollow as a summer house by Owen Glyndwr. to the left n BP^e road to Gelligoch Bridge, turn rhysglog FaU«S3 ?.e^l^Socb farm and proceed to Felin- | the left tho which are worth seeing. By keeping to ■ Hill. Pedestrian will be brought to Wylfa To the north of the town, past the Railway Station, and on to Dovey Bridge, thence to Cwmgila Farm by a path leading over the hills to Tywyllnydv.'ydd and the village of Pennal, where the Royal Fern grows. Instead of taking the direction to Pennal, turn to the right at Cwmgila, so past Gelligen farm and proceed over the hills through the woods to Pantperthog, where the Corris train may be taken back into Mach- ynlleth or, the pedestrian can cross the river to the old coach road where a magnificent view may be had of the Merionethshire side. The village of Llanwrin forms an interesting object for a walk. Leave the Dovey bridge by the road to the right, proceed to Fridd Gttfe and on to Llanwrin. At Llanwrin the church may be visited, and by following the road a short distance, Mathafarn, said to have been the habitation in 1485 of David Llwyd ap Llewelyn, a poet and scholar, another of those who entertained the Earl of Richmond on his march from Milford, By following the road, Cemmaes road station will be reached, where train may be taken back to Machynlleth.

CORRIS. PORTAL AllUAN (: EM JiNTrt. Post closes at 5.15 a. Ill. and 5.40 p. m.; in the summer at 6 p.m. Delivery commences at 7.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Telegraph oflice open from S to S week days, and 8 to 10 on Sundays. No delivery or despatch on Sundays. RELIGIOUS SERVICES. English service at the Church at 11.30, vicar, the Rev R. J. Edwards Welsh services at the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel (Rev W. Williams); Independent (Rev W. C. Jones); and Wesleyan (Rev T. Thomas). Welsh services in church and chapels commence at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday schools at 2 p m. PISUIXG. The river Dulas is free from Corris to its source. It is also free near Esgergeiliog with the consent of the tenant, Mr Owen, Cwmcadian Farm. The other portions are reserved. Talyllyn lake is free with the consent of Mr John Jones, Tynycornel. WALKS. Follow the road to the right from the Station through the village. Take the first turning to the right over the railway, and next a bridge, afterwards to the right to the back of Fronfelin Hall, and then take the path which leads to the top of the mountain whence can be seen Cader Idris, Plynlimon (in South Wales), the valley of the Dovey and the sea. Another interesting walk may be had by going through a gate on the left after crossing the bridge referred to above and passing three cottages, going up the mountain path to Galltyrhiw. This path leads in two miles to Aberllefenny, the river being crossed by a bridge. A highway runs from Aberllefenny back to Corris. TRIPS. Abedlefenny.-To the right from the Station and continue along the highway for two miles, when Aber- llefenny will be reached, and the picturesque valley appears to be closed "by towering mountains. Aber- llefenny has prosperous slate quarries from which are produced slabs notfed all over the world for their excellence. It also possesses an old mansion, the property of the Lofd Lieutenant of Merioneth. It was built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was once the residence of a member of Parliament, and gave lodging to Henry VII. when on his way from South Wales to the battle of Bosworth. It is related that the occupant of the house had the reputation of being a seer, and the Prince consulted him as to his chances of success during the next encounter with Richard. The seer promised to give the answer next morning, but though he spent the night in studying the stars, they were silent. When morning came, his

"CAMBRIAN NEWS" I PRINTING WORKS, MILL STREET, ABERYSTWYTH. Evany KIND or MINTING, | -BOOKBINDING, &C., Executed on the premises. jLLYFNANT VALLEY, i

BORTH. POST-OFPICE REGULATIONS. Letters can be posted to Aberystwyth and South Wales up to 6.55 a.m. To all other parts of the king. dom, up to 5.50 p.m. at the post-office; and 5.30 at the Terrace pillar box. Delivery commences at 8.0 a.m. to 7.0 p.m. on week days, and 10.0 a.m. only on Sundays. Money order and savings bank business close at 5.0 p.m., Saturdays at 8.0 p.m. Telegraph business on Sundays, from 8 to 10 a.m. Post-master, Mr A. L. Lewis. TRIPS. Aberystwyth.— The town of Aberystwyth can be reached by train, but a pleasant way of visiting it by those who can walk six or seven miles without fatigue, is by following the road and paths along the coast. Leave Borth by the road running southward, and instead of turning to the left keep straight on up the hill. This road leads out into the Cynfelin Valley, where the main-road must be left, and a by-way taken leading to the right to a house on the shore called Wallog, whence a pathway leads over the cliffs into the Clarach Valley and again over the cliffs into Aberyst- wyth. The return journey may be made by train. Llanfihangel.— It may somewhat surprise visitors to know that this is but part of the name of the parish in which Borth itself is situated. The name spelt right out is Llanfihangel-Geneu'rglyn, and means the Church of St. Michael at the entrance to the glen." It may be reached by train or by following the south road a little over two miles. The church, recently restored, perched on the side of the hill, makes a pretty sight, and the graves, rising in steps among the trees, a curious sight. On the square-topped hill over against the Church was formerly a castle built by Walter L'Espec, the Norman. No vestige of it remains. Taliesin's Grave—By following the pathway running past the church, for over three miles, the pedestrian will be brought to the village of Talybont, where are lead mines, hotels, and woollen- factories. At the northern end of the village a byroad to the right leads in less than two miles to Taliesin's grave on the hillside overlooking the estuary and valley of the Dovey and an extensive tract of country. Taliesin lived in the sixth century, and was the Chief of Bards of Arthur's Round Table. Tradition says that he was found exposed in a fishing weir by Prince Elphin, son of Gwyddno, and educated by him. He was the author of a great many poetical works, commemor- ative of the finding of himself by Elphin, the victories of Urien Reged, King of Cambria, the victories of Maelgwyn Gwynedd, and other pieces. The following prophecy, relating to the Welsh people, has been ascribed to Taliesin, but erroneously as some autho- rities think Their Lord they will praise, Their speech they will keep Their land they will lose. Except wild Plel, ¡ WALKS. Along the beach to the north to Aberdovey Ferry (3 miles), or along the road running northward which leads to the same spot. If the outward journey is made along the beach, the return may be made along the road or vice versa. On the beach, especially opposite Aberdovey, is a large quantity of shells. From the Penrhyn (on which is a refuge box) a ferry boat may be taken across the river to Aberdovey. Leave the south end of Borth railway platform and follow the new path past the Church. Seats are placed at intervals along this path. The view of the sur- rounding hills and of the moorland of Corsfochno, which has been described as "a glorious carpet of colour is very fine from this path. to A favourite walk of visitors is to the south beach, where the cliffs rise to considerable height and where the boulders arc very large. About a mile after rounding the headland is a peculiarly-formed rock, which, from its shape, has been called Y delyn" or the harp. Care should be taken not to go under the cliffs when the tide is coming in.

TANYBWLCH. Tanybwlch, or Maentwrog, is situated in the middle of the far-famed Vale of Festiniog. It is a charming retreat for the hcalth-sccker, the angler, or the admirer of the beautiful in nature. It can be readied from the coast by changing at Minffordd, on the Cambrian for the Festiniog line and taking a ticket for Tanybwlch, from which station the village lies about two miles distance. The Oakeley AlIllS Hotel has been for many years noted for the excellent accommodation it provides for tourists. Within easy distance of the hotel are the slate quarries of Festiniog, the Cynfael and other waterfalls, and any amount of mountain climbing for the pedestrian, and subjects for the artist.

THE MANCHESTER AND MILFORD RAILWAY. (ABERYSTWYTH). Visitors, on being informed that the line of railway running south of Aberystwyth, and connecting that town with Carmarthen and South Wales, is called the Manchester and Milford Railway, will no doubt at first wonder why names of places so remote should have been selected for a railway running through Mid- Wales. On looking at the map of England and Wales, however, it will be seen that the line, as far as it goes, lies in a direct route between Manchester and Milford, and the wonder as to the name will cease when it is known that it vas at one time intended to make the railway a link in a system of direct com- munication between Ireland, Milford, and the great city of cotton manufacture in the North of England. For reasons which it is unnecessary to go into here, the scheme fell through, and the line which was to have been taken over the hills from Strata Florida, in Cardiganshire, to Llangurig, in Montgomeryshire, was brought on to Aberystwyth, the nearest town in the locality, and there brought to a terminus. Many are the jokes told about the rate of locomotion; but, nevertheless, the line affords a convenient means of communication, by some of the trains, between North and South Wales, and opens up a tract of country which, though it lacks the rugged grandeur of North Wales, has natural charms peculiarly its own, and nearly every acre of it is crowded with interesting associations. During the summer months cheap return tickets are issued. LLANRHYSTYD ROAD. Leaving Aberystwyth from a platform on the south side of the Cambrian Station, the line bends at once to the right and crosses the Rheidol river, and after emerging from a cutting comes in sight of the harbour and bay and runs along under Pendinas on the bank of the Ystwyth river which gives its name to Aber- ystwyth. The house, Tanybwlch, on the hill to the right 'when facing the engine), is the residence of Mr Vaughan Davies, one time candidate for the county in the Conservative interest. To the left of the house is Tandinas, the site of a British fortification, con- structed probably to guard, in conjunction with Pen- dinas, the entrance to the Ystwyth Valley. Just before arriving at Llanrhystyd road, the line cuts through anesgairwhich is geologically most interesting. The train enters the station by passing over the Aber- ystwyth and Aberayron road, which in two miles leads back to town. Instead of following the road the whole distance, the pedestrian may turn off to the left near the railway bridge and chapel at Rhydyfelin and thence home along the banks of the Ystwyth by turning to the right after passing over the bridge across the stream. LLANILAR. The line, after leaving Llanrhystyd road, continues along the Ystwyth to Llanilar. On the right of the line and across the river is seen the seat of Mr Lewis Pugh Pugh, fomerly Liberal M.P. for the county. The picturesque village of Llanilar is also seen to the right before it is approached, backed by Castle Hill, the residence of Mr James Loxdale, who also has a residence at Shrewsbury. To the left of Castle Hill are the remains of a Roman Encampment, whence a beautiful view may also be obtained. Llanilar is a favourite resort of Aberystwyth pic-nic parties. It is well-wooded, is surrounded by heights commanding fine landscapes, there are innumerable walks in the neighbourhood, and there is hostelry accomodation. The walk along the road to Llanrhystyd road is a pleasant one. Distance to Llanilar from Aberystwyth six miles. TRAWSCOED OR CROSSWOOD. On leaving Llanilar for Crosswood (3 miles) the line still follows the river which, poisoned by the refuse of lead mines, has destroyed vegetation on either bank. The house among the trees to the right is Llidiardau, the resi- dence of Mr Parry, present high sheriff for the county, and the house on the hill side to the left is the residence of Mr F. R. Roberts, clerk of the peace, who has greatly improved the land in his neighbourhood. At Trawscoed, which signifies the wood across the valley, is the seat of the Earl of Lisburne, lying to the left of the station among the trees. Here the train may be left and several pleasant excursions taken. By walking up the line to the tunnel (three miles), which well repays the journey, a fine waterfall will, after rain, be seen and, at Gwnnws Church, a short distance across fields to the right from the tunnel is an ancient inscribed stone commemorative of Caron, a sixth century saint and warrior. The return to Crosswood station may be made along the road, north of the falls. Another beautiful walk is to Pontrhydy- groes (six miles) and to Hafod (ten miles). Leave the station, turn to the right after passing the bridge over the river, and continue to where the river turns up a. valley to the left and is crossed by a stone bridge. Follow the new road along the bank of the river to the lead-mining village of Pontrhydygroes. The scenery is fine and wild. At Pontrhydygroes the road to the right may be taken to Strata Florida station (four miles), or, to the left, to Hafod, with its picturesque grounds and church. The return may be made to Crosswood, or the walk may be continued from Hafod to the Devil's Bridge. STRATA FLORIDA. After departing from Crosswood, the train begins to ascend a steep gradient cut in the side of thu hill; and, if the passenger sits on the left side of the carriage, he will obtain a splendid view of the wooded ravine below and of the vale of Crosswood in the distance. At the tunnel the Pwllcaradog waterfall may be seen from the train, over the cliff of which a British chief- tain is said to have thrown himself after defeat. From the tunnel the line descends into Strata Florida, fiving a view at the siding to the left of a quarry ought by the Aberystwyth Corporation (regardless of expense) for the harbour pier, and, before leaving the top, of Ystrad Meurig, where once a castle stood, and where, in 1774, Edward Richards founded a grammar school for the education of poor children in the Latin language and in the principles of the Church of England—where, too, in times past, it was no un- common thing to find young men with a better know- ledge of Latin than of English. Perhaps it would not be too much to say that this school has supplied the Welsh Church with hundreds of its clergy. The great points of interest, however, in the neighbourhood of Strata Florida station arePontrhydfendigaed, the ruins of Strata Florida Abbey, and the nine pools wherein the River Teify has its source. At Pontrhydfendigaed (the bridge of the blessed ford) is a chalybeate spring and one or two hostelries. About a mile distant from the village, turning to. the left, is the ruined arch oj Strata Florida Abbey and the Abbey Farm, occupied by ft cousin of Mr Joseph Arch j and by contiauinjj:

wife, seeing him look so miserable and discomfited, inquired the reason, and when she heard it, smiled at her good man's want of wit. "Tell him, of course," she said "that he will succeed. If he does he will reward you, and if he does not he will be unable to return to reproach you." The return to Corris may be made through the fields; or the journey may be extended into Dolgelley in 5 j miles by turning up the valley to the left. This walk over the mountain is an exceedingly beautiful one. It is understood that arrangements are being made to continue the narrow- gauge line on to Aberllefenny. Talyllyn and Cader Idris.—The lions of the Corris district arc undoubtedly Talyllyn lake and Cader Idris mountain. The line ends at Corris, but during the summer months conveyances ply between Corris and Talyllyn, and visitors wishful of booking seats should communicate before their visit with Mr J. R. Dix, the general manager of the line, All writers who have said anything about this district unite in praising it. A Welsh writer says, "Nid oes odid ddyffryn cul a golygfeydd mor amrywiol a swynol iddo In Nghmru, ag yw yr hwn a orwedd rhwng Corris a Machynlleth." An English writer adds—"The little Corris railway takes the traveller almost into the heart of one of the most lovely regions in Wales. The valley of the Dulas, through which the railway runs, is charming enough to give a foretaste of the greater glories to come. The train rushes on among the trees they almost brush our faces, and through the delicious green here aud there we see the river dancing in the sunshine. On either hand the mountains rise. Thdy have peculiar names about here—Trum Tair Taran and Briddell Arw are the summits on our left, reach- ing an altitude of over 2,000 feet. The railway journey is all too short, though when Corris is reached, and we turn our backs upon the region of slate, we are only on the threshold of Mwyngil, the charming retreat which centres in the placid waters of Talyllyn. A walk of two miles bring us within sight of the lake, with the topmost precipices of Cader Idris only about the same distance away as the crow flies, and another mile, near the water side, will take us to our inn, where, if anywhere, the wearied spirit may find rest, drinking in the beauty of a scene too exquisite to be described in words. Across the lake rise the buttresses of Cader; behind us Mynydd Rhugog and Craig Goch. Whether we love fishing or lounging or climbing, Talyllyn is the place for us; and the cairn on Cader Idris can be reached on pony-back if we prefer it, or by the steeper path which leaves the Machynlleth road at Minffordd, and passing a pretty cascade, leads the mountaineer to Llyn-y-cae, where cl precipices spring from the waters of the lake almost like Cyclopean walls. Nor are the attractions of Mwyngil yet half exhausted, for where is there a finer walk than by the high road to Dolgelley, or better still, over the eastern shoulders of Cader Idris to the quaint old town?" Marianne Farningham, the popular writer, who walked from Talyllyn to Corris, said-An excursion which everyone should take once in a life- time id that to the lake Talyllyn. The walk of three miles from the lake to Corris is one of the most delightful in Wales. On the right is a tumbling little stream, with here and there a waterfall, and all sorts of lovely things growing beside it. The views are wonderful, especially when we turn back and include Cader Idris among the mountains. The banks, all along the high road, are covered with ferns and flowers, the beautiful beech fern being as common as the bracken. Corris in another slate quarry place, built in the valley with hills all round, and most charmingly situated. As for the railway, there is really nothing quite like it. It is only between five and six miles in length, and it fulfills the name of the Toy Railway," even better than that of Festiniog. The carriages have scats placed lengthways and glass windows along the entire length, so that the occu- pants, instead of having to stare at each other, can look out upon the scen^v and admire the rugged rock, the pine clothed hil^ the snowy waterfall, the rushing stream, the green wood, or the cultivated field, as one by one they come into vision.