The next place which deserves to be noticed, in our progress towards Carnarvon, is Bryn Tirion; the habitation of Thomas Jones, Esq.; this house, which is nearly opposite Plas Newydd, stands on a beautiful eminence, and commands an extensive view of the Straits, as far as Abermenai.—In this neighbourhood, as well as on the opposite shore, are considerable Lime-stone rocks; and indications of Iron Ore have also been observed here, and, we understand, in one instance, a late trial has been attended with success. It is the general opinion, when these two are found in considerable quantities, that Coal is not far distant, and some attempts have been made, at different times, to discover the vein, but hitherto without effecting that object. Near this place is Aber y pwll, a Harbour belonging to Mr. Smith, where his Slate are shipped off, and to which a good new road has, within these few years, been made from his Quarry. Half a mile farther is Moel y Don, a safe and commodious horse Ferry, where no accident has happened in the memory of any person now living. In the life of Gryffydd, ap Cynan, (one of our Welsh Princes) it is said that a Castle was built here, by Aeloedd, King of Dublin, his grandfather by the mother’s side, and there are still some remains of a fortification, on a small eminence, close upon the Menai, about three hundred yards below the Ferry. This place was also rendered memorable on account of a Bridge of Boats, erected here by King Edward the First, A.D. 1282, {63} in repassing which, a detachment of his Army, together with a number of _Gascon_ and Spanish troops, commanded by LUKE DE TANY, were intercepted by the Welsh, who rush’d on them with hideous shouts, slew numbers, and forced the remainder into the sea. On this occasion perished the General himself, together with Roger Clifford the younger, thirteen Knights, seventeen young gentlemen, and two hundred soldiers. William Latimer alone escaped by the goodness of his horse, which swam with him to the Bridge. Even if we suppose that a panic had seized the English forces at this time, yet a considerable degree of praise is still due to the intrepidity of my countrymen, as, when compared with the troops of other countries, they fought nearly unarmed; in order to be convinced of which, a person need only read a description of their weapons and accoutrements, when they accompanied our valiant Prince Richard Cœur de Lion into France, as given by William Brito, in Camden’s Remains.