то JAMES EDWARD SMITH, M.D. F.R.S. PRESIDENT OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, THIS VOLUME, DESCRIPTIVE OF A HIGHLY ROMANTIC AND INTERESTING PART OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, IS INSCRIBED, AS A TESTIMONY OF THE SINCERE ESTEEM, OF HIS VERY AFFECTIONATE, AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, . WILLIAM BINGLEY. PREFACE. In the summer of the year 1798, I was first induced, from the various accounts that had reached me respecting the grandeur of the mountain scenery of North Wales, to appropriate three months to a ramble through all its most interesting parts. I aecordingly set out from Cambridge, (where I was then resident,) soon after the commencement of the long vacation, and proceeded, in the cross-country coaches, immediately to Chester. From Chester I leisurely skirted the north coast of Wales, along the great Irish road*, through St. Asaph and Conwy, to Bangor. At Caernarvon I remained for a considerable time, making excursions in all directions among the mountains, and through the principal parts of the island of Anglesea. When I had examined all the places that I could learn were worth notice, I continued my route, entirely round the country, visiting, in my course, Harlech, Barmouth, Dolgelle, Machynlleth, Llanydloes, Newtown, Montgomery, Welsh Pool, Os-westry, Wrexham, and Mold. From Mold I crossed over (towards the interior) to Ruthin, and proceeded A Except only in going from the village of Northop to Flint, and thence to Holywell, in the whole not more than eight miles. through Llangollen, Corwen, and Bala, to Shrewsbury, whence, in the month of September, I returned to Cambridge. Not satisfied with this single journey, I returned into North Wales, in the year 1801, and resided there four months more; during June, July, August, and September. In this latter excursion my time was chiefly occupied in examining the counties of Caernarvon and Merioneth, and the island of Anglesea, visiting again, in these counties, all the places that I had before seen, ascending most of the principal mountains, and searching around for other, new and interesting, objects. Previously to my first journey, I had made several tours through nearly all the romantic parts of the North of England. I can, however, with truth declare, that, taken in the whole, I have not found these by any means so interesting as four of the six counties of North Wales, namely, Denbighshire, Caernarvonshire, Merionethshire, and Anglesea. The traveller of taste (in search of grand and stupendous scenery,) the naturalist, and the antiquary, have all, in this romantic country, full scope for their respective pursuits. க My modes of travelling was principally as a pes destrian, but sometimes I took horses, and at other times proceeded in carriages, as I found it convenient. A traveller on foot, if he have health and spirits, has, in my opinion, many advantages over all others of these the most essential is that complete independance of every thing but his own exertions, which will enable him, without difficulty to visit and examine various |