Stranger, (impetuously.)

"G-d bless his ho

"nest black face; I'd ha' given twenty golden

66

guineas to shake hands with him once more "before I die, and if I hadn't been subpœ"naed to Brecon 'sizes, in a cause where I

hope to serve a friend, I'd ha' gone back to Rhaiddr on purpose to have seen him. But, do sir, tell him that old Robert Lewis sends him his blessing, and hopes he never will

pass through Brecon again, without calling "at his cottage, and once more tasting his "currw."

Full of his accustomed hospitality, my old friend then desired that J-n would turn with him to his dwelling, and take some refreshment; a request which he urged with so much warmth and pertinacity, that it was with difficulty Jn could avoid complying with it. The hour of the day, and the distance of his residence, however, prevented a call of this kind, and obliged our companion to take leave of honest Robert; who loading him with good wishes, and pronouncing another solemn benediction on the party he was going to join, galloped off on his friendly errand to Brecon."

The country from Builth to Rhaiddr you are already acquainted with. It was new, not

withstanding, to my companions, who were much delighted with the diversified scenerythe Wye murmuring over its stony bed to the left, deep woods waving on its banks, and lofty, rocky mountains shooting above us to the right. The evening has been gloriously fine, which gave a peculiar brilliancy of tint to these interesting objects. We strolled, therefore, quietly on, and did not reach the Angel inn till late, where we have been received by Mr. and Mrs. Evans with their accustomed civility.

Your's, &c.

R. W.

WHILST

Aberystwith, Aug. 17th.

HILST we were preparing to depart from Rhaiddr on Wednesday morning, Mr. Evans recommended us o take a circuitous road to Pentre, (where we purposed sleeping that night) by Cwm-Elan, which would lead us not more than eight miles out of our way. To us heroes of the foot, such an addition was a trifle, we therefore determined immediately to follow Mr. Evans's advice. At the distance of two miles from

Rhaiddr, we began to perceive we should be recompensed for any little extraordinary fatigue, by the extreme variety and beauty of the country. The valley here is enlivened by the crystalline Clerwin, and sheltered from the northern and eastern blasts by proud rocky mountains shagged with trees. These were the leading features of the scene, till we reached Cwm-Elan, another romantic vale about five miles from Rhaiddr, watered by the little torrent Elan, from which it takes its name.* We were immediately struck with the singular combination of natural and artificial beauties at this place, of wild scenery and elegant ornament; dark woos, a foaming river, rugged rock, perpendicular precipices, and lofty mountains, contrasted with rich meadows, verdant lawns, neat inclosures, and a handsome modern-built mansion-house.

For this agreeable appearance of cultivation and civilized life, Cwm-Elan is indebted to Thomas Grove, esq; of Fern in Wiltshire, who,

* This place has lately afforded an happy subject for the elegant muse of the Reverend W. L. Bowles; who has favoured the world with a short poem, entitled Coombe Ellen, replete with his usual tenderness of thought, delicacy of sentiment, and witchery of expression.