CHAPTER XIII 



GLAMORGANSHIRE: NEATH 



It was late in the autumn of 1841 that we finally bade adieu 

 to Kington and the wild but not very picturesque Radnor- 

 shire mountains for the more varied and interesting country 

 of Glamorgan. I have no distinct recollection of our journey, 

 but I believe it was by coach through Hay and Brecon to 

 Merthyr Tydvil, and thence by chaise to Neath. One solitary 

 example of the rhyming letters I used to write has been 

 preserved, giving my younger brother Herbert an account of 

 our journey, of the country, and of our work, of which, 

 though very poor doggerel, a sample may be given. After a 

 few references to family matters, I proceed to description. 



" From Kington to this place we came 

 By many a spot of ancient fame, 



But now of small renown, 

 O'er many a mountain dark and drear, 

 And vales whose groves the parting year 



Had tinged with mellow brown; 

 And as the morning sun arose 

 New beauties round us to disclose, 



We reached fair Brecon town; 

 Then crossed the Usk, my native stream, 



A river clear and bright, 

 Which showed a fair and much-lov'd scene 



Unto my lingering sight." 



We had to go to • Glamorganshire to partially survey and 

 make a corrected map of the parish of Cadoxton-juxta- 

 Neath, which occupies the whole northern side of the Neath 

 valley from opposite the town of Neath to the boundary of 

 the county at Pont-Nedd-Fychan, a distance of nearly fifteen 



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