A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 



corner, near fourteen centuries ago, they 

 have, from the mountainous nature of 

 their country, and their own difpofitions, 

 been ever fince almofl entirely fecluded 

 from all commerce with their neigh- 

 bours, and prevented from fettling any 

 connexions with them. They, therefore, 

 \ve find, prejudiced in favour of their 

 own inftitutions, and their own cufloms, 

 retained many of them for feveral cen- 

 turies afterwards. From their feclufion 

 they alfo contracted new, and different 

 habits, different modes of life, and many 

 other cufloms which remained, long un- 

 known to their neighbours, fome of thefe 

 have been tranfmitted to us, by their 

 bards, and others by their hiftorians. 



Sylvefter Giraldus Cambrenfis,* Arch- 

 deacon of St. David's and Brecknock, 



who, 



* He was of noble Flemifh parents, and born near Tenby, 

 in Pembrokefhire, in 1 145. He was fecretary to Henry II. 



tutor 



