OF NORTH WALES. 
257 
of architectural interest, and, tliough not strictly connected 
with a geological paper, we could not pass it over. If we 
indulged ourselves on tliat occasion in slightly enumeratii^g 
a few of the more remarkable buildings, we propose in tiio 
same manner, before leaving the basins of Cardigan Bay 
and of the Menai, to notice any thing that seems interest- 
ing in the way of ancient and modern arciiitecture. 
The same Edward I. who left at Conway a memorial of 
his ambitious designs^ in the' castle he erected, to facilitate 
his inroads into the counties of Carnarvon and Merioneth, 
with the same views, and to retain possession of these dis- 
tricts, built the castles of Harlech, Criccaeth, Carnarvon, 
and Beaumaris. Of these, Carnarvon stands unrivalled, 
in magnitude and beauty of architecture. While examin- 
ing this ancient pile, nowhere can the mineralogist have a 
better opportunity of studying the variety of rocks with 
which these districts abound ; for he will perceive that al- 
most every kind of rock of the country has been laid un- 
der contribution to construct the walls of this castle. Of 
later architecture, though not castellated, but of great 
antiquity, are the ancient houses of Corsegeddar Plas Hen 
and Coitmore. And no less interesting is the remarkable 
church of Clynog, a model of the best style of Gothic 
architecture, and formerly the Loretto of North Wales, 
being the shrine of St Beuno. And, as the works of pre- 
sent times, we cannot omit the two wonderful Iron Suspen- 
sion Bridges, the one over the Menai Strait, and the other 
over the mouth of the Conway. But the latter, though a 
stupendous work, yet, when contrasted with that over the 
Menai, sinks into insignificance. 
The Menai Iron Bridge has been so often described, and 
is so well known, that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon it. 
Suffice it to say, it is 100 feet above high- water-mark ; and 
the length of the chain, which crosses the Strait, is 1714 
VOL. VI. R 
