Tintern Abbey to face the Title Page. The Map before the Introduction. Kidwelly Castle to face page 34 Llanstephan Castle 41 Manorbeer Castle 48 Carew Castle 61 Pembroke Castle 65 St. Dogmael’s Priory 86 Kilgarran Castle 93 The Devil’s Bridge 111 Falls of the Mynach 114 Dinevawr Castle 128 Careg-cannon Castle 138 Margam Abbey 153 Caerphilly Castle 174 Raglan Castle 213 Chepstow Castle 247 View from Piercefield 260 View on the Wye 277 Lanthony Abbey 315 Goodrich Castle 348 [Picture: Map of South Wales] INTRODUCTION. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS—A SKETCH OF WELCH HISTORY—ANCIENT BUILDINGS. SECT. I. In making the Tour of South Wales and Monmouthshire, the _Admirer_ of _picturesque beauty_ dwells with peculiar pleasure on a tract of country comprising the greater part of Monmouthshire, and bordering the Severn and Bristol channel, to the western limits of Pembrokeshire. In this enchanting district, a succession of bold hills, clothed with wild forests, or ornamental plantations and delightful valleys, present themselves in constant variety: many fine estuaries and rivers, picturesque towns, and princely ruins, also adorn the scene, whose charms are inconceivably heightened by the contiguity of the Bristol channel, which washes the coast; in some places receding into capacious bays; in others, advancing into rocky promontories of the most imposing grandeur. _The Statistical Enquirer_ finds equal subject of gratification, in the uncommon fertility of several valleys, and the woody treasures of numerous hills, bearing myriads of oaks, and other first-rate timber-trees. The mineral wealth of the country, and its convenient coast for traffic, are likewise subjects of high consideration; and, while the statist applauds the late rapid strides of manufactures and commerce in this district, he may discover sources hitherto latent for their increase.