John de Charlton, styled Valectus Domini Regis. In his posterity it continued several generations. By the marriage of the eldest daughter of Edward Lord Powis, it was conveyed to Sir John Grey. In this family it remained till the time of Henry VIII. The title then became extinct. In the reign of Elizabeth, Sir William Herbert, second son of the Earl of Pembroke, obtained it by purchase, and was created Lord Powis.* In 1644, under Piercy Lord Powis, it held out for the King, but was soon obliged to surrender to Sir Thomas Middleton. The place was pillaged, and his Lordship remained a prisoner. The present owner is George Earl of Powis, in right of his mother, Barbara, daughter and sole heiress of Lord Edward Herbert, brother to the last Marquis of Powis. Though little of its ancient greatness of demense remain, yet seventeen manors are still dependent upon this Lordship. This venerable castle is going fast to decay. The buildings are in a state of dilapidation; the garden and grounds are neglected, and the pride and ornament of the park is being removed for the sake of the timber. What the hand of time is doing for the one, the hand of avarice is doing for the other; so that at no very distant period the beauty and magnificence of Powis will be no more, and some poor drivelling boy will have to shew the passing traveller the spot where brave Cadwgan lived and Bleddyn's royal race. Vide Dugdale Bar. Vol. II. A small distance from Poole is the pleasant valley of Cyveiliog; at the foot of the Breddin are the ruins of the Cistertian Monastery, called Strata Marcella, or Ystrad Marchell, founded by Owen Cyveiliog, A. D 1170. It was richly endowed by Gwynwynwyn, in 1201, with the whole pasturage of the district of this name, for the express purpose of inducing the Monks to pray for the repose and safety of that Prince's soul. It acquired some additional grants from Madwc ap Gryffydd, in the reign of Edward III. When the recluse amongst the Welsh were removed to English abbies, and replaced by English Monks, this house was placed under the controul, and subject to the visitation of Buildwas Abbey, in Salop. At the dissolution, the revenues, according to Speed, amounted to 731. 7s. 3d.* In this neighbourhood the Botanist will find, CRATEGUS ARIA PTERIS CRISPA, COTYLEDON LUTEA, SENUM RUPESTRE, PAPAVER CAMBRICUM, CHLORA PERFOLIATA. It was our intention from this place to visit the vicinity of Montgomery, but being informed that the ride from Llanvair, by a new road, to Newtown, was very much admired, and that we could take Montgomery on our way, we preferred this to taking the direct road. Passing a hilly country, and for Wales in a high degree of cultivation, (the culture of turnips, and sheep-folding being well understood,) we soon arrived at the little town of LLAN VAIR, Situated between hills, on the banks of the wide-flowing * Vide Tanner, Not, Mon, Virnwy. This river abounds with such a gis. In and variety of fish, as justly to entitle it to the ins. By name of Amnis Piscosus.* These finny tri'd Lord only add life. to its widely diffused water n this afford a very profitable amusement to the inhabi. The who are peculiarly dexterous in the use of beth, harpoon, or spear. Under this name there are 1 of instruments, very different in their structure, bted used for the same purpose. The single and double spear. The first is a narrow piece of steel, about one foot long, with a barb at the end, placed in a short handle, with a small rope at the end, to draw it back to the spearman. The other consists of a handle, six feet in length, armed at the lower extremity with three broad flat pieces of well-tempered steel, parallel to each other, and united at the handle, similar to the three tined forks used by the London gardeners to get up potatoes, with the addition of barbs at the end of the tines, exactly like the trident with which Neptune is fabled to be armed by the Poets. With these they proceed to the stations. At high water the fish come up towards the springs: the water suddenly subsiding, they are left in what are called pools, which are deep excavations, formed by the mountain torrents in the rocky bed of the river. Here they are entrapped, and fall an easy prey to their wary pursuers. The spearmen stand upon the broad flat stones' by the sides of these pools, and * Salmon, trout, samlet, grayling, minnow, perch, rough or pope, carp, tench, shad, roach, dace, gudgeon, bleak, chub, loach, bull-head, eel, lamprey, flounder. striking at the fish, if large, with the single, and if small, with the double spear, generally brings the prize to shore. It is highly pleasing to see with what dexterity they perform these piscatory manœuvres. Sometimes the salmon are pursued in the night by an animated chace, the spearmen being directed to the fish by whisps of lighted straw or torches, which the fish taking for the light of the sun or moon, advance, and fall an easy prey to this ungenerous treachery. ་་ Finding nothing remarkably interesting in the town, I walked alone to the church, which stands at a small distance. On entering the church-yard, I was particularly struck (because it was here I first observed it,) with the remarkable custom that prevails over North Wales of planting the graves of departed friends with various evergreens, and all the choicest gifts of Flora's hand. Box, thrift, and other plants fit for edging, are planted round in the shape of the grave for a border, and every flower that adorns the smart parterre, is placed within, so that the taste of the living may here be known by the manner of embellishing these mansions of the dead. The snow-drop, violet, and primrose, harbingers of spring, denote the infant dust; the rocket, rose, and woodbine, shew maturer years; while tansey, rue, and star-wort, mark declining life. Each has its little evergreen, fond emblem of that perennial C state where change is known no more.* Nor are they, once planted, left to be over-run by the luxuriancy of less delicate neighbours, but constantly weeded and cherished by the hands of the nearest friends of the deceased, who appropriate every Saturday afternoon for this amiable weakness, or rather pious remembrance of departed worth. It was now Saturday, and several persons were busily employed in these pleasing offices of respect and love. I thought it inhuman to disturb them, and I was just going softly to retread my steps, and retire from the scene, but perceiving I was noticed, my curiosity got the better of my veneration. Seeing a person, whose Shakspeare sweetly alludes to this custom in his Cymbeline: With fairest flowers, lass, I'll sweeten thy sad grave; thou shalt not lack The flower that's like thy face, pale primrose, nor + Still when the hours of solemn rites return, BLEEDING ROCK |