Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

5 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

[No title]

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

communications between this outward world of ours and the inner or lower one of Annwn—the unknown world—the dominion of Gwyn Ap Xildd, the mythic king of the fabled realm-peopled by those children of mystery, Plant Annwn and the lief is still current a nongst the inhabitants of our mountains in the occa- sional visitations of the G wragedd Annwn, or dames of Elfin land, io this upper world of ours. In years gone bv these dames were wont to make their appear- ance, arrayed in green, in the neighbourhood of JLlyn Darfog, chiefly at eventide, accompanied by their kine and hounds, and on quiet summer nights in par- ticular, their ban-hounds were often to be heard in fall cry pursuing their prey—the souls of doomed men dying without baptism and penance—along the upland township of Cefnrhos-ucha. Many a farmer had a sight of their comely milk-white kine many a swain had his soul turned to romance and poesy by a sudden vision of the dames in the guise of damsels arrayed in green, and radiant in beauty and grace and many a sportsman had his path crossed by their white hounds of supernatural fleetness and comliness, the Cwn Annwn but never had one been favouied with more than a passing view of either till an old farmer residing at Dyssyrnant, in the adjoining valley of Dyffryn Gwyn, became at last the lucky carptor of one of their milk-white kine. The acquaintance which the Gwarthegy Llyn, the kine of the lake, had formed with the farmer's cattle, like the loves of the angels for the daughters [of men, became the means of cap- ture and the farmer was thereby enabled to add the mystic cow to his own herd, an event in all rases believed to be most conducive to the worldly pros- perity of him who should make so fortunate an acquisition. Never was there such a cow, never such calves, never such milk and butter, or cheese, and the fame of the Fuwch Gyfeiliorn, the stray cow, was soon spread abroad through that central part of Wales known as the district of Rhwng y ddwy Afon, from the banks of the Mawddach to those of the Dovey- from Aberdysynwy to Abercorris. The farmer, from a small beginning, rapidly became, like Job, a man of substance, possessed of thriving herds of cattle-a very patriarch among the mountains. But, alas, wanting Job's restraining grace, his wealth made him prond his pride made him forget his obligation to the elfin cow, and fearing she might soon become too old to be profitable, he fattened her for the butcher. Even then she did not fail to distinguish herself, for a more monstrously fat beast was never before seen. At last the day of slaughter ciiiie-an eventful day in the annals of a mountain farm—the killing of a fat cow, and that cow such a monster of obesity No wonder all the neigbours were gathered together to see the sight. The old farmer looked upon the pre- Earations in self-pleased importance—the butcher felt he was about to perform no common feat of his craft, and, baring his arms, he struck the blow—not now fatal, for before even a hair had been injured, his arm Was paralyzed—the knife dropped from his hand, and the whole company was electrified by a piercing cry that awakened echo in a dozen hills, and made the Welkin ring again and lo and, behold the assemblage Saw a female figure clad in green, with uplifted arms, standing on one of the craigs overhanging Llyn Barfog, &ud heard her calling with a voice loud as thunder- Come yellow Anvil, stray horns, HpicWed one of the lake, and the hornless Dodin, ÄMfÇ, come home. And no sooner were these words of power uttered than the original lako cow, and all the progeny to the third and fourth generations, were in full flight towards the heights of Llyn Barfog, as if pursued by the evil one, Self-interest quickly roused the farmer, who followed in pursuit, till, panting breathless, he gained nn eminence overhanging the lake, but with no etter success than to behold the green-attired dame leisdrely decending mid-lake; accompanied by the fugitive cows and their calves formed in a circle around her, they tossing their tails, she waving her hands in a scornful manner, as much as to say, You may catch us, my friend, if you can," as they disappeared beneath the dark waters of the lake, leaving only the yellow water lily to mark the spot where they vanished, and to perpetuate the memory of this strange event. Meanwhile the farmer looked with rueful countenance upon the spot where the elfin herd had disappeared, and had ample leisure to deplore the effects of his greediness, as with them also departed the prosperity which had hitherto attended him, and he became impoverished to a degree below his original circumstances. In his altered circum- stances few felt pity for one who in the noontide flow of prosperity had shown himself so far forgetful of favours received, as to purpose slaying his benefactor. Corris.—A very pleasant excursion can be made from Aberdqvey by taking a train to Machynlleth and thence to Corritt by the narrrow gauge railway which will be seen to the north of Machynlleth Station. The line runs for about six miles among the mountains alongside the picturesque Dulas. From Corris during the summer months conveyances run to Talyllyn Lake which lies at tho southern foot oi Cador Idris. The return journey may be made to Corris and home via Machynlleth or from the Lake to Abergynolwyn (three miles) where train may be taken for Towyn and Aberdovey. Llyfmnt Valley —This beautiful valley lies within easy reach of Aberdovey. Train must be taken to Glan- dovey (changing at the junction). From Glandovey the turnpike road to the left leads to the entrance of the glen (which can be seen to the east when travelling on the line between the junction and Glan- dovey. A stream of water, which rises in Plyn- limon, finds its way to the sea through the valley and marks the boundary line between North and South Wales. It also divides the counties of Cardigan and Montgomery and the dioceses of Bangor and St. David's, and it formed the boundary line between the old divisions of this part of Wales into Powisland and Deheubarth. The Llyfnant is one of the five rivers that rise on Plynlimon, and tradition goes that the Fountain Nymphs representing these rivers "once upon a time agreed to pay a visit to Father Ocean on the following day. V aga (the Wye), the early riser, was the first to start on the journey, and meandered through an extensive track of beautifnl country before paying her visit. Sabrina (the Severn), starting later, was nevertheless able to traverse a fine region on her way to the soa. Rheidol, more sluggish in rising, was constrained to make a shorter course; and the Llyf- nant and Dulas, by sleeping longer still, were com- pelled to make the best of their way to the sea, and to deny themselves the pleasure of an extended excursion. About a quarter of a mile to the left from Glandovey Station a finger-post marks where the by-way leads up the Llyfnant Valley. In two-and-a-half miles the picturesque fall of Glaspwll will be seen, and a mile- ilnd-a-half still further on, Pistill Rhaiadr. The return journey may be made on the opposite side of the Llyfnant; or the branch road at Glaspwll may be taken, which in two miles and a half leads into Mach- ynlleth, where train may be taken for Aberdovey. A sail up the river Dovey on a fine evening is most enjoyable. The mountains rise on either side of the estuary and appear to close in up the valley in the direction of Machynlleth. Ths tide serves beyond the railway bridge at Glandovey, at which spot the water may be left for a return journey by rail to Aberdovey. About a mile and a half from Aberdovey, over the mountains, is that present loop-hole of retreat known M the Happy Valley. Through the valley a road runs to the right to Pennal, and to the left to Towyn. The valley is also watered by a fine trout stream. On the side of the valley opposite that descended on walking from Aberdovey, rises to 1334 feet the mountain Gorlan Fraith. There is a cairn, or a heap of stones, on the summit. The view fiom it will more than repay the labour of ascent. The Dysynni Valley beneath, Cardigan Bay, with the vast extent of coast from the Carnarvon mountains to Pembrokeshire, pre sent a grand panorama. Another source of enjoyment at Aberdovey may be found in the extensive banks on the opposite side of the Dovey. The sandbanks are interesting to those skilled in conchology, and the pools offer plenty of specimens for small acquaria. A ferry boat plies between Aberdovey and the Penrhyu on the opposite side of the river, where there is a refuge. It appears to be a very ancient, if not royal, ferry, as Jen kin ap Iorwerth, of Ynysmaengwyn, was farmer or lessee under the Crown of the mills of Kefyng (Cefn) and Caethleff (Caethle), and of the Ferry at Aberdovey in the thirty-sixth year of Henry VI. The walk from the Penrhyn may be continued three miles into Borth, either by following the line of poles or by rounding the sandy promontory and following the beach. The fland dunes as seen from the beach are very fine. From Borth the return may be made by train. Along the shore to Towyn (four miles) and on to the River Dysynni (between one and two miles further) where a charming view up the Dysynni Valley, with Cttder Idris and the Bird Rock in the background, may bo obtained. Return to Towyn and heme by train. From Aberdovey to Machynlleth there is an enchant- ing walk or drive. The load for about four miles runs along the northern bank of the River Dovey and affords a line panoramic view of sea, valley, river and mountain. At the end of the four miles the road bends off to the loft tud reaches in about three miles the village of Pennal, in the neighbourhood of which are slate quarries. Continuing the main road three miles further up the Dovey Valley Machynlleth will be reached, a town conjectured to have been built on the site of Magiona, the principal station of the Romans in Montgomeryshire. From this place branch off the Toy Railway leading off among the picturesque mountains surrounding Corris. The return to Aber- dovey from Machynlleth may be made by train. The whole walk or drive has been described as fol- lows: The road from Aberdovey proceeds along the rocky banks of the Dovey, through which it is cut like a ledge or shelf for nearly the whole of its course, pre- senting in places cutting in the naked sides of the slate rocks, of different degrees of altitude and of character. After passing Trefrhyg, or Trefri, on a point jutting out into the river, the banks of the river are clothed with trees and underwood from the base to the summit, broken in places by stripes of cultivation, as at Abergroes and Panteiddol. These, in con- junction with the broad estuary of the Dovey, and the opposite low shore of Cardiganshire, .backed by high mountains amongst which Moel-y-llyn is pre-eminent in the outline, form a landscape of great extent and beauty. On passing the point of Frongoch, the road leaves the Dovey, and passing Gogarth, reaches Pen- nal, a village beautifully situated near the junctions of several small streams, which, after uniting below the village, discharge themselves into the Dovey a little lower down. On the farm of Cefngaer, in the parish of Pennal, the remains of a circular fortification of considerable extent were formerly visible. From the fort to the water side was a broad hard road or causeway, of pitched bebbles or stone, from ten or twelve yards wide, continued in a straight line through meadows and marsh land for two hundred yards, to the river side. Roman coins and pottery, and other articles, vestiges of Roman occupation, have been from time to time dug up there. Mr Vaughan, of Hengwrt, mentions his having seen a silver piece of Domitian found there; and those of Augustus and Tiberius have likewise been found near the main fort. The name implies the fort on the ridge, and has been conjectured to have been an outpost to the more im- portant Roman Station of Magiona at Machynlleth. Esgair Weddan, a farmhouse in the parish of Towyn, but near Pennal formerly called Plas-yn-y-rofft, was the residence and patrimony of an ancient family, named Price, or Prys the Prices of Esgair Weddan are supposed to have ended with Mary, daughter of Robert Price, Esq., who died in 1771 her father died in 1702, and was buried at .St. Alkmond's, Shrews- bury her sister Anne in 1750. The estate, it is believed, was left by the former to the Edwardses of Tal- garth, to whom they were related, though not through the male line. In the parish of Pennal lived Leucu Llwyd or Lucy Lloyd, a lady of great personal beauty and amiability of manners. She was beloved (but against the wishes of her friends) by Llewelyn Goch ap Meuric, heir of Nannau, who was an eminent poet, and flourished from 1330 to 1370. When her lover had gone on a journey to South Wales, she was told by her father, as a means of wearing her affections from him, that he was married to another person upon hearing which she fell down and immediately expired. Ru lover, on his return home, composed a pathetic elegy on her the original is preserved in Manuscript, and a translation is printed in Jones' Bardic Museum. This occurred about the year 1340. A recombent effigy of Lucy Lloyd is still to be seen in Northop Church, in Flintshire. The road from Pen- nal towards Machynlleth has been much improved by a deep cutting before leaching Pantlludw, beyond which, the Dovey is crossed by the first or lowest bridge on its stream, at l'ont-ar-dyfi, and the town of Machynlleth is 50011 reached.

TIDE TABLE FOR ABERYSTWYTH,…

PARISH CHURCH, ABERYSTWYTH…

INDEX TO II ADVERTISEMENTS.

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