Welsh Journals

feeding required by that two branched birch, but let your virtuosos go there and examine into it, it is upon the high road near Sr Wiliam Fowler's. In Radnorshire we came to a place called Cwm hir, where I observed the ruin of an abbey called Monachlog y Cwm hir, commonly called here Comehere Abbey, but the true English of it is the abbey of the long valley, it was seated in a most beauti- ful bottom; and I must own the monks were men of exquisite taste as to their situations. Cymmer abbey near Dolgelleu is also well situated, and was first erected by monks that sojourned from this last mentioned, as our great antiquarian Mr Robt Vaughan expressed it, as I have read in a manuscript of his, with notes and additions to Dugdale's Monasticon. I suppose these monasteries when they grew full, sent colonies out as bees do, but the bee was by far the more useful creature. Near New Radnor called in Brit. Maesyfed Newydd we entred Hereford- shire a country of great plenty. How this place came to be called Henffordd (i.e. literally the Old way) I cannot tell. The chief town was antiently called Hereford East, as was the town Haverford West in Pembrokeshire called Hereford West. But Haverford West is called by the Welsh Hwlffordd, which I think ought to be wrote Hwylffordd (i.e. the sailing way) being a good seaport town. I forgot to tell you that Pont Rhyd y Cleifion (which is mentioned by L. Glyn Cothi the poet, who was officer under Jasper earl of Pembroke in the wars between York and Lancas- ter.) But now as I am come to England, I have not so much to say, And an English traveller versed in the histories of his country may make observations more to the purpose than I pretend to. But I must observe to you that the river Arw which runs by Kington in Herefordshire retains it's ancient British name, and signifieth rough, and it answers the character. Near this town also we crossed Offa's dyke a great mud wall said to be built formerly by Offa King of Mercia; but how came the King of Mercia to build this wall cross all the island, there must have been other kings to join him; and it seems the Welsh were plaguy troublesome, when there must be a wall to separate them. But I cannot be of the common opinion that