are occasionally found here valuable pebbles of agate, jasper, &c., and many small crystals; accordingly, every one who visits Aberystwith expects to carry away a world of wealth "of his or her own picking up;" and this picking-up fancy becomes a serious business. On propitious days there appears on the shining beach an army of treasure-seekers, each with a small basket to hold the jewels; and there they are, rank and file, from morn till dewy eve, with bending backs and downcast eyes! while hands, feet, parasols, camp-stools, and oyster-shells, are enlisted into the service. Let any Aberystwith visitor gainsay it who will, this is the favourite amusement for all ages, sizes, sexes, and classes, from the peer to the postilion who brought him the last stage, and from the delicate invalid lady to the little barefooted Welsh wench up to her knees in the surf. It becomes an inveterate habit; one would think some sca-sprite threw a spell over us so soon as our footsteps press the enchanted strand, for no one escapes the infliction-and lumbago, rheumatism, and other consequent ills too often follow the avaricious exploit. For these visitors, however, there is a speedy and luxurious cure in the excellent and commodious warm baths, of which there are several on the terrace, and in other parts of the town; also a chalybeate spring at a short distance.

Nor is Aberystwith without the usual public amusements of a fashionable watering-place, for those whose health or inclination leads them to seek the gay as well as the picturesque: here are balls, races, theatricals, &c.; and to all who are fortunate in finding kind friends and pleasant acquaintance among the residents

or visitors, this may well be selected as a summer retreat for successive years. The bathing is excellent; and the number of pleasure-boats always employed, proves how much the sea-excursions in the neighbourhood are enjoyed. The excellent fishing in the Rheidol and the Ystwith, tempting to disciples of quaint pleasant old Isaac Walton, calls forth many a merry party of anglers to the delicious vales of these winding rivers. It appears singular that the Ystwith should give its name to the town-Aber-Ystwith, the mouth of the Ystwith, since the Rheidol flows through it, and only joins the Ystwith at some distance, when they both fall into the sea together. The town in this situation was called Aber-Rheidol about the time of our First Henry, but when the name was changed is not correctly known; it was also called Llanbadarn Gaerog, or the fortified Llanbadarn, from its nearly adjoining that once great city.

Some delightful excursions may be made from Aberystwith, among the grand and romantic scenery of Cardigan's mountains and glens. First in beauty as in popularity, is the oft-praised, but indescribable spot, where the Devil's Bridge frowns over its sublime and perilous chasm. The road from Aberystwith to the bridge is replete with beauty of varied character. On quitting the town, we ascend steep hills, wearisome alike to man and horse, till, from the summit, is gained a view of the lovely vale of the Rheidol, with its fantastic winding stream, flowing in silvery, snake-like curves throughout, and "the everlasting hills" on either side lifting their hoary summits to the sky; while in the inland distance "hi's above hills, and alps

on alps arise," with Plinlimmon's many-beaconed head, turbaned with clouds high above them all, like the monarch of the mountain realm that lies in proud subjection around his mighty throne.

Gradually the valley narrows as we recede from the sea, until, on abruptly turning round a singular conical rock, the strange and wondrously beautiful scene, which has so long alike baffled the descriptive pen and the mimic pencil, bursts in all its grandeur on the delighted eye. The glen of the Rheidol, narrowed to a ravine, down which a roaring cataract pours its inexhaustible waters, lies before the gazer-and the terrific chasm of the Mynach yawns beneath his feet at a dizzy depth below. It is a scene to be feasted on, trembled at, and dreamed of, sleeping and waking; but not to be preconceived, painted, or described. The bridge consists of two arches, one immediately above the other. The lower arch is of great antiquity, and supposed to have been built by the monks of Ystrad Flur, or Strata Florida Abbey; but antiquarians are not agreed on this point, as tradition fixes the erection of the bridge in 1087, and the Abbey of Strata Florida was not founded till 1164. Giraldus Cambrensis mentions having passed over it in 1188, when preaching the crusades with Baldwin, archbishop of Canterbury. The wild and stupendous scenery surrounding this spot greatly enhances the terrific grandeur of the ravine, and no doubt had its share in the origin of the vulgar denomination it has received; all appearances both in art and nature, which were beyond the comprehension of the simple and superstitious people of past dark ages, were without hesitation attributed to "his majesty of ebon wing;"