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then the party separated, some returning by road to Cardiff, 
‘others by the fields—not, however, before cordial thanks were 
returned to Mr. Dowding for his guidance and courtesy. A visit 
‘to the extensive Bute Docks wound up the day. Here the great 
industry of the district was seen to its full extent, large steamers 
receiving truck loads of coal hoisted bodily up with their load 
-of coal, silently, irresistibly and rapidly by hydraulic power and 
‘discharging their contents into the holds, the whole process occu- 
pying less than five minutes. The Park Hotel received those 
members who remained for the second days’ excursion (14 in 
mumber), and the merits of the native wine, made from the 
‘grapes grown on the Castell Coch estate, to be visited next day, 
‘duly discussed. 
Wednesday, April 23rd.—After an early start from the 
Rhymney Station, Caerphilly was reached about 9.20, and Mr. 
Robert Drane at once conducted the Members down the main 
‘street of the village to the S.E. corner of the Castle, whence a 
good view of the Water Gate was obtained. Here he gave the 
following general description of the structure ;—One of the most 
extensive castles in Wales, if not in England, it covers 30 acres of 
ground with its outworks. Chiefly noted for the immense 
strength of its fortifications, history is almost silent as to the 
events carried on within its walls. The architect or engineer 
who designed it is unknown to fame, but whoever he was he most 
thoroughly understood the art of defence, and so planned it that 
there may be said to be three castles, one within the other, so 
that if the outer defences were taken by the enemy, the second 
‘one had to be overcome before the middle position, perhaps the 
strongest of all, could be attacked. The period of its erection 
‘was probably in the time of Edward I. Built on an elevated 
‘deposit of gravel or drift brought down from the surrounding 
hills it could be entirely cut off from the mainland and isolated by 
damming up the waters of the Nant-y-Gledyr, flowing from the 
South-west to join the Rhymney, and thus forming a morass on 
