Having spent near three hours in surveying one of the noblest castles in Wales, we walked round the environs of the town. The terrace {187} round the castle wall, when in existence, was exceedingly pleasing, being in front of the Menai, which is here upwards of a mile in breadth, forming a safe harbour, and is generally crowded with vessels, exhibiting a picture of national industry; whilst near it a commodious quay presents an ever-bustling scene, from whence a considerable quantity of slate, and likewise copper, from the Llanberris mine, is shipped for different parts of the kingdom. Caernarvon may certainly be considered as one of the handsomest and largest towns in North Wales; and under the patronage of the Marquess of Anglesea promises to become still more populous and extensive. In Bangor-street is the Anglesea Arms hotel, a large and most respectable inn; where, as well as the Goat, the charges are moderate and the accommodations excellent. Caernarvon is only a township and chapelry to Llanbeblic. Its market is on a Saturday, which is well supplied and reasonable; and with the spirited improvements made to the town and harbour, has been the means of greatly increasing its population: according to the late returns it contains 1008 houses, and 6000 inhabitants. The church, or rather chapel, has been rebuilt by subscription. Service is performed here in English, and at the mother church at Llanbeblic {188} in Welsh. The port, although the Aber sand-banks, forming a dangerous bar, must ever be a great drawback upon it, has not only been wonderfully improved, but is in that progressive state of improvement by the modern mode of throwing out piers, that vessels can now, of considerable tonnage, lie alongside the quay, and discharge or take in their cargoes in perfect safety; this bids fair, as may be seen by the rapid increase of its population and tonnage, to make it a place of trade and considerable resort: yet still it only ranks as a creek, and its custom-house is made dependent on that of the haven of Beaumaris, to the comptroller of which its officer is obliged to report: this must be a considerable hindrance to its trade, particularly in matters out of the customary routine. The county hall, which is near the castle, is a low building, but sufficiently commodious within to hold with convenience the great sessions. Caernarvon possessed such great favour with Edward the First, as to have the first royal charter granted in Wales given to it. It is by that constituted a free borough. It has one alderman, one deputy mayor, two bailiffs, a town-clerk, two serjeants at mace, and a mayor; who, for the time, is governor of the castle, and is allowed 200_l._ per annum to keep it in repair. It jointly with Conway, Nevin, Criccaeth, and Pwllheli, sends a member to parliament, for the return of whom every inhabitant, resident or non-resident, who has been admitted to the freedom of the place, possesses a vote.