[1] The origin of the motto ICH DIEN--I serve--is generally attributed to Edward the Black Prince who, in leading the vanguard of his army to the battle of Cressy, slew John of Luxemburg, King of Bohemia, and then deplumed his helmet of those ostrich feathers which, in memory of this victory, became his _cognisance_,--sometimes using one feather, at others three, as appears on his seals and tomb, with scrolls containing this motto, ICH DIEN. But the ancient arms of the princes of Wales, while they were independent sovereigns, were quarterly _gules_ and _or_, four lions _passant_, counterchanged. The Charter of Edward the First to his son is dated March 24th, 1305,--_i.e._ when the Prince had attained his majority. [Illustration: CARNARVON.] CAERNARVON CASTLE. ----"Rifled towers That, beetling o'er the rock, rear the grey crest Embattled." The first royal charter granted in the Principality of Wales was that conferred on the town of Caernarvon by Edward the First. It is a place of great historical interest and importance, and, in connexion with its magnificent castle, presents one of the most imposing features on the British coast. The town is not large; but the recent improvements--public and private--which have been carried into effect have materially contributed to its internal convenience and outward embellishment. Of these the Baths demand especial notice, as one of the principal recommendations to strangers and invalids who resort to this part of the Cambrian shore either for health or relaxation. The building in itself is a good specimen of classical taste--combining elegance of design with excellent workmanship, and presenting, in the distribution of its apartments, every convenience for the reception of visiters and invalids, a choice of hot and cold sea-water baths, with the appendage of comfortable dressing-rooms. For those who have the pleasure in the "cold plunge," as the means of bracing the relaxed system by the exercise of swimming, there is excellent accommodation in a capacious bath, appropriated to that salutary purpose, which is refreshed by a constant supply of water drawn by a steam-engine from the sea through iron pipes, and received into large reservoirs of the same metal. This edifice, which combines in an eminent degree the useful and ornamental, was built at the expense of the Marquess of Anglesey, and is said to have cost upwards of ten thousand pounds.