Bulkeley estate, close to the town, and covers a considerable space of ground. Its low situation, however, detracts from its importance. In form it approaches an oblong square, surrounded by massive embattled walls, flanked with circular and quadrangular towers. There are two entrances: one on the west side, consisting of a large pointed arch between two square towers; and the other on the east, towards the sea, bounded by two circular bastion towers. On the east side, also, is an advanced work, called the Gunner's Walk, in which the rings employed for the mooring of vessels are still visible. In the centre of this enclosure stands the principal body of the castle, nearly of a square form, having a round tower at each angle, and another in the centre of each face. The area is an irregular octagon, about 180 feet from east to west, and 168 feet from north to south. The walls are ten feet thick. On the north side is the hall, seventy feet long and twenty-three broad, with five large windows fronting the inner side of the octagon; and on the east side are the remains of a chapel, with pointed arches and groined roof. A communication was made between the various parts of the inner court by a gallery, a considerable portion of which still remains. In this gallery are square holes, which appear to have had trap-doors leading to dungeons beneath.

During the civil war Beaumaris Castle was garrisoned for the king by Thomas, Lord Bulkeley; but surrendered to the parliamentary forces under General Mytton, who was made its governor.

The Church is a handsome structure, consisting of a chancel, a nave separated from the former by an elegant screen, and two aisles. The tower is embattled. In the chancel is a monument, said to have been removed from Llanvaes Abbey. It bears two recumbent figures of a knight and a lady, but to whose memory it was erected is unknown.

To the left of the altar is a monument of white marble, executed by Westmacott, in memory of Lord Bulkeley, who died in 1822. On a half-pillar is a bust of his lordship, with an inscription. His widow is represented standing at the foot of the pillar in a dejected attitude, whilst a figure of Faith leans

over her, and points at the same time towards her husband and heaven. To the right of the altar is a mural tablet, with a Latin inscription, in honour of Thomas, the sixth son of Sir Julius Cæsar, who was Master of the Rolls in the time of Henry VIII.

There is also a mural tablet in memory of David Hughes, who founded the free school: it was erected in 1812, at the expense of a few persons who had received their education in that establishment.

In the vestry was buried Lady Beatrice Herbert, the daughter of the celebrated Lord Herbert of Cherbury. There is also an inscription in honour of the Rev. Gronwy Davies, concluding with these quaint lines:

"Here lies learning, friendship, love,

And innocency of the dove;

Within this grave, and in the dust,

His ever-courteous body must

Until the resurrection lie,

Then he shall live, and Death shall die."

The organ, clock, bells, and communion plate, were presented to the church by Lord Bulkeley, whose arms adorn the front of the gallery.

Contiguous to the church is the Free School, founded in 1603 by David Hughes, Esq., who also endowed Alms-houses for six poor persons, to whom he granted annuities. His benevolence was imitated by the late Lord Bulkeley, who added four to the original number. They are situated about a mile from the town, near the entrance to Baron Hill Park.

The Town-hall, originally erected in 1563, was rebuilt at the beginning of the present century. It comprises a prison, shambles, and the finest ball-room in Wales. Beaumaris likewise possesses a Custom-house, and a National School erected by public subscription, on ground given by the late Lord Bulkeley. This nobleman also constructed the beautiful road which passes along the shore from Beaumaris to the Menai Bridge. It was formed in 1804, at an expense of 3000l. In one of the by-streets is a curious old house, now occupied by several families. The hall has a rich stuccoed ceiling.

The markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and are well supplied. The population amounts to 2,500.

Inns. The Bull's Head and the Liverpool Arms.

Beaumaris Bay, in front of the town, forms a well-sheltered harbour, affording ample protection to coasters and vessels of considerable burden, driven in here during the prevalence of northerly winds. When the tide is out, the greater part of the bay is left dry, and this is called the Lavan Sands. The word Lavan is a corruption of Traeth Talaven, or the fermenting heap, alluding to the ebullition of water in the quicksands.

BARON HILL,

Immediately above the town, was the seat of the late Lord Bulkeley, to whom Beaumaris and its vicinity are indebted for so many improvements. At his death it descended to his nephew, R. B. Williams Bulkeley, Esq. It is delightfully situated on the declivity of a richly-wooded hill, having, in front, a lawn sloping towards the town and castle. The house was built from designs by Mr. Wyatt, and the grounds surrounding it are richly diversified by nature, and adorned by art. The view from this spot is truly enchanting. To the north the sea forms a magnificent bay between the coast of Lancashire and the Isle of Man, the Menai opening into it between Orme's Head and Priestholme. The water in front is bounded by an amphitheatre of mountains, forming three regular gradations ascending to the summit of the Snowdonian range.

At a short distance north-east of the house is a monumental recess, containing an empty stone coffin. From an inscription it appears that it originally contained the remains of the Princess Joan, daughter of King John, and wife of Llewelyn ap Jorwerth; that she had been interred at Llanvaes Abbey, but that the coffin had in later days been removed, and used as a watering-trough for cattle. The late Lord Bulkeley, to rescue it from such degradation, caused it to be placed in his park.

LLANVAES ABBEY

Formerly stood near the shore, about a mile to the north of Beaumaris. The few vestiges of it that now exist form the walls of a barn. This abbey is supposed to have been founded by Llewelyn ap Jorwerth, about 1237, over the spot where his princess was interred.

PENMON PRIORY.

The remains of this building, situated about four miles north of Beaumaris, consist of the refectory and part of the church. The priory was founded in the sixth century, and re-established about 1220 by Llewelyn ap Jorwerth.

PENMYNNYDD,

About five miles west of Beaumaris, is remarkable as the birth-place of Owen Tudor, a private gentleman, who, having married Catherine, the widow of Henry V., became the ancestor of a line of monarchs.

PRIESTHOLME, YNS SEIRIOL, OR PUFFIN ISLAND,

Is situated about five miles north of Beaumaris, and one from the shore. It is of an oval shape, one mile in length, and half a mile in breadth. On all sides, except that towards Anglesea, it presents steep and inaccessible rocks. Near the centre is an old square tower, supposed to have been a religious house connected with Pennon Priory. During the summer this island is visited by myriads of water-fowl, particularly puffins : these birds appear annually in the beginning of April; they lay but one egg, which is hatched by the male and female sitting alternately. About the middle of August they re-emigrate. During their stay great numbers of them are caught and pickled in small casks, which form a considerable source of traffic.

The Welsh name, Ynys Seiriol, or Seiriol's Island, is derived from Seiriol, the son of Owen Danwyn, who chose this as a place of retreat, and is supposed to have built a chapel

here about 630. It was off Puffin Island that the Rothsay Castle steamer was wrecked, August 17, 1831, when nearly the whole of the passengers were drowned.

Beddgelart, or Beddgelert, is a village delightfully situated in a beautiful tract of meadows, at the junction of three vales, near the confluence of the Glas Lyn, or Gwynant, and the Colwyn. It is completely encircled by lofty mountains, above which rises the " cloud-capped Snowdon."

Moel Hebog, the Hill of Flight, is situated to the west. In a deep hollow, high up the side of this mountain, there is a cave in which Owen Glyndwr, on one of his expeditions to harass the English forces, sought a shelter from his enemies.

An inn, called the Goat, or Beddgelart Hotel, standing detached from the village, affords excellent accommodation to the tourist. This is a good point from which to visit Snowdon, and here guides for that purpose may be obtained.

The Church is small, but it is the loftiest in Snowdonia. It is supposed to have belonged to a priory of Augustines, founded by Bishop Anian in the thirteenth century: but antiquaries differ as to its origin. Tradition ascribes it to Llewelyn the Great, of whom the following story is related :—It is said, that during the hunting season he came to reside at Beddgelart with his wife and children, and that one day, the family being absent, a wolf entered the house. On returning, his greyhound Gelart or Ciliart met him, wagging his tail, but smeared with blood. The prince, being alarmed, ran into the nursery, and found the cradle overturned and the ground covered with blood.