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THE CAMBRIAN SKETCH-BOOK.
THE CAMBRIAN SKETCH-BOOK.
TALES , SCENES , AND LEGENDS OF WILD WALES . BY R. RICE DAVIES. Author of “ The Handy Book on Tax Laws ,” “ Havelock ,” “ Essay on Recreation Grounds for Swansea ,” etc. London: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO. Swansea: THE CAMBRIAN WELSH AND ENGLISH BOOK PUBLISHING COMPANY...
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To the Right Honourable THE LADY LLANOVER.
To the Right Honourable THE LADY LLANOVER.
Madam , Among the illustrious men and women of Cambria it would be difficult to select one to whom this book could be so appropriately inscribed as your ladyship. You are, and ever have been, the warm and sincere friend of my country; you are profoundly versed in her historic, poetic, literary, and legendary annals; you are a liberal and munificent contributor to almost every great movement designed to promote the social and intellectual, the moral and religious, welfare of the people of our an
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
The history of the Cambrian race is interesting not only to the antiquarian, but also to all real lovers of traditional and legendary lore. It is a race which had its origin in the mythical age, in the far back and remote past, in that period of the world’s history when intellectual and moral darkness covered the earth, and when gross darkness, like a black pall, enveloped the minds of the people. The country which this race originally occupied is simply a matter of conjecture—an unascertained
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ASCENT OF SNOWDON.
ASCENT OF SNOWDON.
“How high and swift flits the thin rack along, Skirted with rainbow dyes; now deep below— While the fierce sun strikes the illumined top, Slow sails the gloomy storm, and all beneath, By vaporous exhalation hid, is lost In darkness: save at once where drifted mists, Cut by strong gusts of eddying winds, expose The transitory scene. Now swift on either side the gathered clouds, As by a sudden touch of magic, wide Recede, and the fair face of heaven and earth Appears. Amid the vast horizon’s stre
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THE PROEM.
THE PROEM.
On the southern coast of the county of Glamorgan, and situate at the back of a high rocky promontory commanding a magnificent view of the Bristol Channel, and just opposite the little sea-bathing village of Southerndown, which appears desolate amid its desolation, stands the modern Castle of Dunraven, which was built by the late Mr. Thomas Wyndham. This castle is erected on the site of a very ancient structure, which, in the olden times, was called Dindryfan. The old castle is in some respects
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CHAPTER I. THE LOVERS.
CHAPTER I. THE LOVERS.
It was a lovely autumn evening, when a young man and young woman might have been seen walking hand in hand along the carriage drive which led from the village of St. Bride’s to Dunraven Castle. The young man was in his usual buoyant and cheerful mood, happy and joyous, but his companion was pensive and sad. From childhood John ap William and Myfanwy Gwenllian had been companions. In childhood they had pledged themselves to be true to each other. In childhood they had walked together, day aft
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CHAPTER II. A NOBLE RESOLVE NOBLY CARRIED OUT.
CHAPTER II. A NOBLE RESOLVE NOBLY CARRIED OUT.
It was morning. Walter Vaughan and his heir were partaking of an early meal before going to the chase. Just previous to their departure, “faithful Evan,” as he was called by the neighbours, entered the hall, and handed his master a letter, which he received with a trembling hand. Mr. Vaughan hastily broke the seal, and commenced perusing its contents, but before he had concluded its perusal, he became as pale as death, he shook like an aspen leaf, and his hand trembled violently. The young l
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CHAPTER III. THE ALLIANCE OF THE LORD OF DUNRAVEN WITH MAC THE DEVIL, AND SOME OFITS RESULTS.
CHAPTER III. THE ALLIANCE OF THE LORD OF DUNRAVEN WITH MAC THE DEVIL, AND SOME OFITS RESULTS.
It was about three years subsequent to the departure of the son and heir of Dunraven, that the old lord resolved to take into his service MacLean, alias Mac the Devil. He knew that this man was a desperate character and a thorough daredevil, who neither feared God nor regarded man; in short, that for money and Scotch whisky, he would do the devil’s work according to his satanic majesty’s own special plan. There was no crime of which Mac was not guilty, but, by reason of the stealthy way in whi
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CHAPTER IV. THE TERRIBLE DOOM.
CHAPTER IV. THE TERRIBLE DOOM.
During the progress of the inquiry into the circumstances connected with the wreck, every effort was made by the authorities to discover the whereabouts of those who were believed to be engaged in the affair; but those inquiries were, unfortunately, unattended with success. The usual haunts of the wreckers were repeatedly searched, their dwellings were watched, and even guarded night and day. The villages and the neighbouring hamlets were visited on several consecutive days, yet they failed to
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PARSON JONES’S TALE OF NAT THE SMITH AND THE THREE WISHES.
PARSON JONES’S TALE OF NAT THE SMITH AND THE THREE WISHES.
It was a dreary night in the month of December when there sat in the chimney-corner of the Jolly Fiddler—which, as you know, is the chief public-house in the little village of Nantglyn—Nat the smith. Nat, as you are aware, is a real good fellow, and a hard-working man, but, unfortunately, he is terribly fond of his beer. I have been told that he has spent a little fortune at the Jolly Fiddler, and I can well believe it, for he pays nightly visits to the house, which he never leaves until he ha
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CHAPTER I. SHADE AND LIGHT—SORROW—BUT HOPE IN SORROW.
CHAPTER I. SHADE AND LIGHT—SORROW—BUT HOPE IN SORROW.
In the enchanting vale below Pont Aberglaslyn there stood, many many years ago, a small villa, which at the time of which we write was covered over with ivy. Surrounding this beautiful rural retreat were gardens and pleasure grounds, which were designed and laid out with great artistic taste and skill in the arrangement of walks, shrubs, rose-trees, flowers, and evergreens. At the time our story commences, the villa was occupied by a gentleman whose family had seen better days; but, through the
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CHAPTER II. AN INHERITANCE LOST, BUT A FRIEND FOUND.
CHAPTER II. AN INHERITANCE LOST, BUT A FRIEND FOUND.
“Is not this a lovely April morning?” remarked Cadwgan to his sister, as they walked hand-in-hand across the lawn. “It is, indeed, a most lovely morning, brother. And is not the scene around most enchanting?” “You, Gwenfan, have always been a great admirer of the spring.” “And you, dear Cadwgan, have been its enthusiastic admirer.” “I have loved it, my dear sister, because it is the season of the year when nature puts on its most joyous apparel. The trees and flowers, the hedgerows and forests
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CHAPTER III. THE WIDE WORLD.
CHAPTER III. THE WIDE WORLD.
It was a beautiful summer morning when Cadwgan departed from the home of his love, the place endeared to him by so many happy associations. The parting scene between him and his sister was most painful. From childhood they had not been separate from each other a single day. Gwenfan’s love for her brother was deep, ardent, and tender. Every want of his she anticipated, while she paid the minutest attention to his feelings, even in small and trivial matters. To part with her only brother was
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CHAPTER IV. THE VICTORY OF INNOCENCE.
CHAPTER IV. THE VICTORY OF INNOCENCE.
The establishment of Messrs. Davies, Roberts & Company, was situated in one of those narrow streets, and was one of those dark and dingy-looking buildings, which were far from being uncommon in old London. The premises, however, were large and commodious, and were specially adapted for their important trade. When Cadwgan saw it for the first time, namely, on the morning succeeding the conversation between Mr. Jones and himself recorded in the previous chapter, he was painfully struck w
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CHAPTER V. THE RIGHT MAN COMING AT THE RIGHT TIME.
CHAPTER V. THE RIGHT MAN COMING AT THE RIGHT TIME.
“Is it not strange, dear aunt,” said Gwenfan, “that Cadwgan has been so long silent? We have not heard from him for more than a month. He might just have sent a line to say he was well, and when we may expect him?” “Cadwgan, my dear child, has now a great deal to do. Since his promotion, doubtless his time is fully occupied.” “I should like to see a likeness of the young lady to whom he refers in his letters. If the description he gives be anything approaching the truth, she must be queen bo
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CHAPTER VI. VIRTUE REWARDED.
CHAPTER VI. VIRTUE REWARDED.
On leaving the warehouse one evening, soon after his return from Wales, Mr. Roberts remarked, “You must dine with us to-morrow, Mr. Wynn, and my old friend Jones will accompany you. He has already arranged to form one of our party, and I am glad for my own sake and yours that we shall have the pleasure of his society. He is one of the best men I know in this huge city.” As soon as the ladies had retired, Mr. Roberts pushed the bottle to Mr. Jones, with the observation, “This is your favourite
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CHAPTER VII. THE LOST INHERITANCE REGAINED.
CHAPTER VII. THE LOST INHERITANCE REGAINED.
The day previous to the return of Mr. Wynn and young Roberts to town, they went out alone for a stroll. They took the road leading to Pont Aberglaslyn, and as both gentlemen were excellent pedestrians, they soon arrived at that exquisitely beautiful glen. When on the bridge, they gazed in silence for some minutes on the dark mad water beneath. After some minutes’ silence, Mr. Wynn asked his friend if he had previously visited the glen. “Yes; I have been here once, Cadwgan.” “Don’t you think i
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CHAPTER I. TRADITIONS OF GIRALDUS.
CHAPTER I. TRADITIONS OF GIRALDUS.
“Not a tree, A llyn, a leaf, a blossom, but contains A folio volume. We may read, and read, And read again, and still find something new.” Respecting Llyn Savathan, which also bears the several names of Lake Brecheinoc, Brecinaumere, Llangorse, and Talyllyn Pool, Giraldus relates that in the reign of Henry I., Gruffydd, son of Rhys ap Theodor, held under the king one comot, namely, the fourth part of the cantref of Caoc, in the cantref Mawr. When Gruffydd, on his return from the ki
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CHAPTER II. THE LAST WARNING.
CHAPTER II. THE LAST WARNING.
Long previous to the time to which the tradition of Giraldus relates, the place occupied by Llyn Savathan formed a beautiful and picturesque valley, through which the waters of the Llewenny meandered and flowed gently along in their progress towards the Wye. On the left bank of the Llynfi, and within half a mile of its channel, there stood the church of Llangasty, which was dedicated to Saint Gasty, an eminent British saint who flourished in the fifth century, and was murdered on the Van Mounta
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CHAPTER III. THE FATAL BANQUET; OR, VENGEANCE AT HAND.
CHAPTER III. THE FATAL BANQUET; OR, VENGEANCE AT HAND.
The palace of the Prince of Llynfi was characterized by drunkenness and vice, dissipation and sensuality, intemperance and debauchery. Virtue had no lodgment there. Righteousness had no habitation there. Justice, religion, and truth were wholly absent from the palace of the prince. He and his family gave themselves up to pleasure, to riotous living, and to revellings; and from day to day, week to week, and month to month, they lived as if there was no God—no hereafter—no judgment to come! M
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TREFFYNNON; OR, LEGENDS OF SAINT WINIFRED.
TREFFYNNON; OR, LEGENDS OF SAINT WINIFRED.
“The lifeless tears she shed into a fountain turn, And, that for her alone the water should not mourn, The pure vermilion blood that issued from her veins Unto this very day the pearly gravel stains, As erst the white and red were mixèd in her cheek. And that one part of her might be the other like, Her hair was turned to moss, whose sweetness doth declare, In liveliness of youth the natural sweets she bare.” Michael Drayton . When but a mere youth, I had a strong and extreme longing to visit Ho
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THE VISIT OF ELIDORUS TO THE FAIRY KINGDOM BENEATH THE BAY.
THE VISIT OF ELIDORUS TO THE FAIRY KINGDOM BENEATH THE BAY.
A short time before our visit to Swansea, wrote Giraldus Cambrensis, a circumstance worthy of note occurred in these parts, which Elidorus, a priest, most strenuously affirmed had befallen him. When a youth of twelve years, and learning his letters, since, as Solomon says, “The root of learning is bitter, although the fruit is sweet,” in order to avoid the discipline and frequent stripes inflicted on him by his preceptor, he ran away, and concealed himself under the hollow bank of a river. Aft
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CEFN-Y-BEDD; OR, A VISIT TO THE SHRINE OF LLEWELYN AB GRUFFYDD, THE LAST CAMBRIAN KING.
CEFN-Y-BEDD; OR, A VISIT TO THE SHRINE OF LLEWELYN AB GRUFFYDD, THE LAST CAMBRIAN KING.
Frequent is heard the voice of woe, Frequent the tears of sorrow flow; Such sounds as erst, in Camlan heard, Roused to wrath old Arthur’s bard; Cambria’s warrior we deplore; Our Llewelyn is no more. Who like Llewelyn now remains, To shield from wrong his native plains? My soul with piercing grief is filled; My vital blood with horror chilled: Nature herself is changed, and lo! Now all things sympathize below. Hark! how the howling wind and rain, In loud symphony complain! Hark! how the consecrat
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LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
No. of Copies The Lord Bishop of St. David’s 1 Hon. Sir W. R. Grove, Common Pleas H. Hussey Vivian, Esq., M.P., Parkwern A. P. Vivian, Esq., M.P., Taibach Henry Richard, Esq., M.P., London BRECONSHIRE. William Games, Esq., Mayor, Brecon Rev. Henry Miles, Lanwrtyd Rev. Professor Roberts, Brecon Rev. John Daniel Williams, M.A., Brecon Mr. David Williams, Oakfield, Llanwrtyd Mr. Benjamin Jones, Dolecoed, Llanwrtyd GLAMORGANSHIRE. Cambrian Book Publishing Company 300 Thomas Alexander, Esq., Monkto
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NOTES.
NOTES.
[178] This is a literal fact. [260] Mr. Eli, I fancy, obtained some of his facts from Pennant....
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