the Menai, called by the Welsh Pwll Ceris, {56} and by the English the Swelly; the fury of the tide, during ebb and flow, is almost inconceivable, except by the navigator: here are great over-falls and violent whirl-pools, but at high water all is still. This is a great obstacle to the navigation of large vessels, which must consult the critical season, and provide a good Pilot; and as the Merchants of Carnarvon, and others, were very apprehensive that the erection of a Bridge at Bangor Ferry, would materially injure the Trade, Government has proposed to defray the expence of blasting the Rocks, and to render every other practicable facility to the improvement of the navigation in this part of the Channel. After this short digression, we now proceed to Plas Newydd, the magnificent Seat of the Marquess of Anglesey, situated on a beautiful curve of the Menai, and protected on three sides by venerable Oak Trees, which reminds us of the Groves, in which the Druids are represented by Tacitus to have concealed themselves from the Roman Army, and also recalls to our remembrance the ancient name of Anglesey, _Ynys Dywyll_, the Dark Island, on account of the deep shade of its groves: — These woods Were tenanted by Bards, who nightly thence, Rob’d in their flowing vests of innocent white, Issu’d with Harps, that glitter to the moon, Hymning immortal strains. MASON’S CARACTACUS. It lies within 80 or 100 yards of the Menai, with a fine lawn in front, sloping to the edge of the water; it commands a fine view both towards Carnarvon and Bangor, which is rendered doubly interesting when the tide is in, and the river covered with Ships of various sizes, together with his Lordship’s Cutter, and those of T. A. Smith, Esq. of Vaynol, and Owen Williams, Esq. of Craig y Don, sailing up and down, and contending with each other, thus rendering the scene more animating. On the contrary, in boisterous weather, here you behold from your fire side, (if you please,) the mariner exerting his strength to guide his ship, and contending with the storm; sweet retreat! delightful abode! Suave mari magno, turbantibus æquora ventis, E terra magnum alterius spectare laborem. “Pleasing from danger free, to hear on shore, The tempests whistle and the billows roar.”