The Usk rises also amidst the Black Mountains of Brecknockshire, and, with a south-east direction, se parates Monmouthshire into nearly two equal parts; it then falls into the Severn, near Newport.

The Ebwy has its source also in Brecknockshire, and, passing under the Beacon Mountain, flows through the wild valley of Ebwy, and falls into the Usk, below Newport.

The river Wye, which separates this county from Gloucestershire, is navigable for barges to Monmouth, and ships of considerable burthen come up to Chepstow, where the water rises with great vio lence. This river, having received two very large streams, becomes a very noble one, and with a deep channel and full current rushes impetuous towards the sea, carrying vessels of considerable burden.

INTERNAL NAVIGATION.

This most important source of commercial inter course, until a recent period, was little known in this county. The Monmouthshire canal, commenced in 1792 and completed 1798, consists of two branches, which unite at Malpas. This canal commences on the west side of the town of Newport, having a basin connected with the river Usk; passing between the town and the river, it crosses the Chepstow road, and pursues its route parallel by Pontypool to Pontnewyndd.

The benefits and advantages resulting from this canal will be greatly augmented by the junction of the Brecknockshire canal, when finished. While treating on the inland navigation of this county, we cannot omit noticing the dykes and walls which have been erected to secure the great levels of Caldicot and Wentloog from the incursions of the sea. These walls bave been erected for a considerable extent, and at a vast expence, to keep off the sea at high tides and in stormy weather; some of these walls

are

are built to the height of twelve or fourteen feet, falling back from the sea by a gradual slope: they are kept in repair by the assessed contributions of the several proprietors, according to the value of their estates in each level.

ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION.

Monmouthshire was formerly the seat of metropolitan power. This county is in the province of Canterbury, and, except six parishes, in the diocese of Llandaff: Welsh, Bicknor, Dixon, and St. Mary's, in Monmouth, being in the diocese of Hereford; and Oldcastle, Llanthony, and Cwmyoy, belonging to St. David's.

TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH.

Is

Journey from Monmouth to Abergavenny.

MONMOUTH

the county town of the shire, and is situated on the rivers Monnow and Wye. Leland derives its name from its local situation, as being placed between these rivers. Camden also says it was origi nally called "Mongwy." (Mwny) At a very early period it was a fortified town; the Saxons occupied it as a strong post to secure their conquests between the Severn and the Wye.

This antique fortress was built by John, Baron of Monmouth the descendants of this baron possessed it until the reign of Henry the Third, when Monmouth being in possession of the revolting barons, the castle was seized by the crown.

It was afterward the residence of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and of his son, Henry of Bolingbroke, King Henry the Fourth. But the pre-eminent glory and magnificent distinction of Monmouth Castle, is, that within its walls was born that illustrious hero, the Conqueror of Agincourt, Henry the Fifth; who from this circumstance was denominated Henry of Monmouth. Upon the usurpation of the house of York, it passed into the hands of Edward the Fourth, who granted it to the Earl of Pembroke; but, upon the union of the houses of Lancaster and York, it again reverted to the crown.

In 1646, Oliver Cromwell took Monmouth Castle, together with that of Ragland. Wale Cromwell was at Monmouth a person of the name of Evans attempted to shoot him, in the parlour of a house then occupied by Mr. Fortune, at whose house the general was entertained. Evans was prevented from perpetrating this act by some bystanders, who were apprehensive that Cromwell's soldiers would burn the

town

town and destroy the inhabitants. In the last century it came into the possession of the Duke of Beaufort, in whose illustrious family it now remains.

The venerable remains of this fortress are so environed by other buildings as to be scarcely visible; yet many vestiges are to be discovered amidst tenements, stables, and barns. The chamber where

King Henry was born pertained to an upper story, and the beams which support the floor still project from the side walls, by which it appears to have been fifty-eight feet long, by twenty-four broad; it had pointed arch windows, some of which yet remain, Within the site of the castle, or rather in the midst of this pile of ruins, is a handsome domestic edifice, constructed of stone, taken from the adjacent fragments, which appears to have been an occasional residence of the Beaufort family.

Among the ancient edifices of this town was an alien priory, founded by Hamelin Balon, or Baladun, who came over with the Conqueror; one of his posterity, in the reign of King John, sent for a convent of Benedictine monks to be established here.The site of the priory church occupied the space on which stands the present parish church, and the tower, with the lower part of the spire, are all the remains of the original edifice. It is said that Geoffrey of Monmouth, the celebrated English historian, belonged to this monastery. Part of this ancient priory forms the residence of Daniel Williams, Esq. There was formerly an abbot and monks of the Cistertian order, whom King John privileged by freeing them of paying toll at Bristol.

Monmouth is in the hundred of Scenfreth, and contains 638 houses, and 3,345 inhabitants. The town stands low among hills, pleasantly situated, and is neatly built; it is extensive, and contains some good buildings, but only one principal street, which runs east and west, is well-built, long, and spacious, terminating at the west at an old gate and

B S

bridge

bridge over the Monnow. There are two other bridges; that over the Wye is built of stone, consists of several arches, and commands a beautiful view of sylvan scenery on its opposite bank.

St. Mary's Church belonged to the priory, but the tower and lower part of the spire are all that remains of the monastic structure; the body of the church is extremely light and well proportioned, and the range of columns separates the nave from the aisle, and supports an horizontal entablature.--St. Thomas's church, now a chapel to St. Mary's, is a small and ancient structure, near the foot of Monnow Bridge: "the simplicity of its form (says the Rev. Mr. Coxe), the circular shape of the doorways, of the arch separating the nave from the chancel, and the style of their ornaments, which bear a Saxon character, seem to indicate that it was built before the conquest.

Here is a Free-School, an excellent building, which was founded by William Jones, Esq. in the reign of James the First, for the education of youth. Mr. Jones was an haberdasher and merchant of London, and acquired great opulence by trade, which ena. bled him to establish this meritorious institution. A singular story, relative to the founding of this school, is recorded in Coxe's History of Monmouthshire. Jones was a native of Newland, in Gloucestershire, but passed the early period of his life in a menial capacity at Monmouth; from thence he removed to London, and became shopman to one of the principal traders: he acquitted himself with such ability and fidelity in this situation that he was admitted to the compting-house, and in this new capacity was equally acceptable to bis employer, who sent him as his agent abroad, and then took him into partnership. Having realised an ample fortune, he quitted the metropolis, and returned to Newland, with the apparent exterior of great distress, and as a pauper applied to the parish for relief: