with home-spun yarn, of wool, the produce of their native sheep; which are bought up by dealers from Liverpool and Shrewsbury. This being the principal mart for the article, a market is held once a fortnight for the sole purpose of exposing it to sale. Some webs, used for army clothing, manufactured in the adjoining county of Merioneth, also, by this route find a way to a ready market. The church, though in the pointed style, is apparently a structure of no great antiquity; nor is it remarkable for any collective, or particular elegance. It stands singularly at the bottom of the hill, and is so low, that the ground of the cemetery almost equals the height of the building: a circumstance, arising, partly from natural situation, and partly from the accumulated soil of sepultural accretion. Among its sacramental ornaments, and sacristal utensils, is a chalice of pure gold, brought from Guinea, on the coast of Africa; containing by measure a wine quart, and intrinsically valued at about one hundred and seventy pounds. The account generally given to strangers, by the sexton in waiting, is, that it was the gift of a transported felon, who having been successful abroad, on his return, presented this, as a peace offering, in grateful remembrance of the mercy he had, under Providence, received. But such an idle story is at once refuted by the inscription it bears, which places the relation in its just light; informing the classic reader, it was the donation of Thomas Davies, some time governor-general of the English colonies on the western coast of Africa, in consideration of his life having been preserved, during his residence in that unhealthy clime, under many dif ficulties, and dangers. This, under such pious impression, he presented to the church of Pool; and adds a strong imprecation against any person, who should ever alienate the sacred vessel from the pious uses, for which it was originally designed. THOMAS DAVIES Anglorum in Africa plaga Ob vitam multifaria DEI misericordia ibidem conservatam de de Welsh Poul ministerio, perpetuo' sacrum voluit. A quo usu S. S. si quis facinorosus eundem calicem Cal. Apr. IX. MDLXII. The county hall, lately erected in the centre of the principal street is among the number of recent improvements made in this town, and neighbourhood; which is at once an ornament to the place, and a standing proof of the spirited liberality of the county for it was built at the expence of a few gentlemen with the express purpose of easing the county-rate, previously sufficiently burthened with necessary levies. The structure, presenting an elegant front with a colonade and pilasters of stone, consists of upper apartments, for the administration of justice; and lower ones, for the accommodation of trade. Beneath is a spacious place appropriated as a corn market; a separate space, for the sale of miscellaneous articles; and an ample court, for holding the assizes, or great sessions. On the second floor is the county hall-room, for convening public meetings; measuring 64 feet in length, by 25 in breadth, and 18 feet high. A handsome room adjoining is fitted up for the use of the grand jury. Pool, as a town, enjoyed numerous privileges, under the auspices of the owner of the adjacent domain of Powys castle: and by one of its princes early incorporated; but the present charter was granted in the time of Charles the second; by virtue of which, it is governed by two bailiffs, a high steward, town-clerk, two serjeants at mace, &c. &c. From the returns made to parliament, the number of houses appears to be 530; and the population 2872. But this enumeration includes the adjoining hamlets. The Severn becomes navigable a little below the town, at what is called the Pool-stake; and a branch of the Ellesmere canal, running near, tends to facilitate carriage by a water conveyance. POWYS CASTLE. This venerable pile, situated in a well wooded park, about a mile from Pool, on the right of the road to to Montgomery, is built in the ancient style of domestic architecture, participating of the castle and mansion. It stands on the ridge of a rock, is constructed of red sand stone, and the dilapidations made by time in the external walls, have been repaired by a coat of red plaistering. The entrance is by an ancient gateway, between two massy circular towers, into the area, or court, round which the apartments range. Several other towers are still standing, flanked with semicircular bastions. The site is elevated and commanding, looking over a vast tract of country, the greater part of which was, formerly, subject to its lords. In front two immense terraces, rising one above another, form the ascent, by means of a vast flight of steps, to the house. These are ornamented with vases, statues, antique remains, &c. &c. The edifice is kept up, as an habitable mansion, though rarely visited by its noble owner. The inside has a heavy, and unpleasant appearance from the great thickness of the walls: and the whole building brings strongly to the recollection the cumbersome magnificence of former times. The interior exhibits little worthy the curious traveller's notice, excepting the principal gallery, measuring one hundred and seventeen feet in length, by twenty in breadth. This was originally much longer; but in the modernizing plan a large room was taken from it, at one end. This is of a later date than the other part of the building; and is said to have been detached from it, about seventy years ago. The apartments on the ground floor, are gloomy, as are also the dining, and state, bed rooms; but the saloon and library are well lighted; and afford a most cheering and delightful prospect: the view from the former embracing the rich vale of the Severn, with the Freidden hills in the contrasted back ground. These contain some valuable antiques. In the large parlour, within the dwelling house, is a full length picture of Roger Palmer, earl of Castlemain, who obtained the peerage by the influence of his wife, a mistress to king Charles the second, the notorious duchess of Cleveland. Dressed in the costume of the times, a black wig, large cravat and scarlet mantle, he is re presented |