Edward I. bestowed on Carnarvon its first Royal Charter, and made it a free Borough: among other privileges, none of the Burgesses could be convicted of any crime committed between the Rivers Conway and Dyfi, unless by a Jury of their own Townsmen. The representative of the place is elected by its Burgesses, and those of Conway, Pwllheli, and Crickaeth; the right of voting is in every one, resident, or non-resident, admitted to their Freedom. Bondsmen in former times, living in the Town a year and a day, and paying scot and lot, gained their liberty, and in those days Jews were not permitted to reside here. The first member was John Puleston; and the second time it sent representatives, (which was the 1st Edward VI) it chose Robert Puleston, and the County elected John, as if both Town and County determined to make reparation to the family, for the cruelty practised on their ancestor. It gives the title of Marquis to James Brydges, Lord Chandos; and that of Earl, to Henry Herbert, Baron Porchester, who was created a Baron Oct. 17, 1780, and advanced to the Earldom June 29, 1793. Leland, who travelled through this County, in the time of Henry VIII. makes the following observation, with regard to the situation of Carnarvon, in his Itinerary, “Cadnant brook, rising three miles off, cometh through the Town Bridge of Caernarvon, and goeth by itself into the Menai area, so that Caernarvon standeth betwixt two Rivers, both coming into the said straits of the Menai.” In this Parish there are 700 Houses assessed for Poor’s Rate, 517 of which are in the Town; adding to these the number of families excused from poverty, and those who receive parochial Relief, it may reasonably be inferred, that the Population of Carnarvon is about 6000, exclusive of Mariners. There needs no other observation on the salubrity of the air, than the following extract from the Report of the Select Vestry of Carnarvon, in 1819:—“Among those who receive Parochial Relief, are 19, aged from 80 to 90 years; 28, from 70 to 80; 42, from 60 to 70; and 39, from 50 to 60.” In the Town are the following Dissenting Chapels, a Presbyterian Chapel in Bangor Street,—the Calvinist’s at Pen yr allt,—the Wesleyans’ in Smithfield, or Tre’r gof, and the Baptists’ at Treffynon. There are five Fairs held annually at Carnarvon, viz. March 12th, May 16th, August 12th, September 20, and December 5. The following beautiful Stanzas, appeared in the North Wales Gazette, November 27, 1812, signed JUNIUS, which may not be thought out of place here; they were written by Mr. B. Brocas, at that time residing in this Town: Does thy Harp, O Cambria, Slumber? Are thy sainted Bards no more? Once it breath’d a sweeter number Than e’er sigh’d round Scylla’s shore. Where are now those magic wonders, Which its touch could once inspire? Where thy Minstrels’ martial thunders, Glanc’d from hands and lips of fire.