Panorama of the Beauties, Curiosities, and Antiquities of North Wales, Exhibited in Its Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls, Lakes, Cities and Towns, Castles and Ruins, Etc; Intended as a Pocket Companion to the Tourist and Traveller (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842. Excerpt: ... however, that this discovery will not only be of advantage to the proprietors, but also to the labouring population. About four miles distant is Llysdulas, the hospitable seat of Col. Hughes, brother to Lord Dinorben. BALA, (merionethshire.) Corwen 12 Ffestiniog 19 Dinas Mowddwy 18 London 207 Dolgellau 18 Uaen Twrog 22 Bala, or The Outlet of the Lake, a small neat town consisting of one long street, with two or three others crossing at right angles, and a population of about 2500. There are two good inns here, the White Lion and the Bull's Head, the former being an excellent posting house. This town is noted for its vast trade in woollen stockings, woollen comfortables, and Welsh wigs. Mr. Pennant remanks, that in bis time, on a Saturday, their marketday, from two to five hundred pounds worth of these goods were disposed of; but this staple appears to have greatly decreased since that period. Still, however, knitting is here an almost universal employment; and whether you walk in the town, or the country around, you will scarcely ever meet a female unemployed, even while they carry water, or other burdens upon their heads. Near the south-east end of the town, is a high artificial mount, called ' Tommen y Bala, ' supposed to be of Roman construction: in the summer time it is usually covered, in a picturesque manner, with knitters of all ages. From the summit there is a fine view of Llyn Tegid, and the adjacent mountains. The Assizes and Quarter Sessions for the county are held here. The town-hall is a plain building, standing in the principal street. A chapel of ease was erected in 1811, by subscription; it is a plain structure, with a low tower, surmounted by a spire. The parish church is situate at Llanycil, about a mile from the town: the service is perf...