76 EEMINISCENCES, ETC. 



derable degree of affluence ; others have emigrated to the 

 gold-fields of Australia, where their skill in quarrying, and 

 their hardy and temperate habits, have stood them in good 

 service ; while there are to be found those still at work 

 among the slabs, who have returned with nuggets enough 

 to buy mountain homesteads, and are industriously increasing 

 their means by following their old employment. Like the 

 inhabitants of all mountainous districts, the Welsh are ardent 

 lovers of their own unconquered country, and whether acci- 

 dent, duty, or ambition casts their temporary lot in other 

 lands, a home in their own locality is a vision they never 

 lose sight of. 



Mr. Smith had an excellent plan of encouraging integrity 

 and good conduct among his workmen. About thirty years 

 ago, he began the system of allotting portions of mountain- 

 land to the most deserving. The selection according to 

 merit was entrusted to the quarry manager already mentioned, 

 who was born among them, and has held his office of trust 

 for forty-five years. From eight to fifteen acres were meted 

 out to each at a nominal rent, with the understanding that 

 he should build a cottage for himself. In this way nearly 

 two thousand acres of land are now under continuous 

 cultivation, which formerly were covered with furze and 

 heather. The occupiers are allowed to sell their estates to 

 their fellow-labourers : some few have availed themselves of 

 this permission, but for the most part they remain on their 

 little farms after ceasing to work, and enjoy in their old age 

 a comfortable retirement. Mr. Smith was influenced by 

 another motive in scattering the houses over the district, 

 instead of collecting them into a large town. He thought 

 that his men would incur less temptation to resort to the 

 public houses after their day's work, especially in the dark 

 winter evenings, if they had a long distance to go from their 

 homes for the purpose of obtaining drink. This dispersion 

 of his labourers has proved very successful. As we pass 

 through the village of Llandinorwig, and onward through a 



