The Description of Wales | Page 8

of Stratflur, forming a boundary
between Demetia and Caerdigan down to the Irish channel; this is the
only river in Wales that produces beavers, an account of which is given
in our Itinerary; and also exceeds every other river in the abundance
and delicacy of its salmon. But as this book may fall into the hands of
many persons who will not meet with the other, I have thought it right
here to insert many curious and particular qualities relating to the
nature of these animals, how they convey their materials from the
woods to the river, with what skill they employ these materials in

constructing places of safety in the middle of the stream, how artfully
they defend themselves against the attack of the hunters on the eastern
and how on the western side; the singularity of their tails, which
partake more of the nature of fish than flesh. For further particulars see
the Itinerary. (12)
From the same mountains issues the Ystuyth, and flowing through the
upper parts of Penwedic, in Cardiganshire, falls into the sea near the
castle of Aberystuyth. From the snowy mountains of Eryri flows the
noble river Devi, (13) dividing for a great distance North and South
Wales; and from the same mountains also the large river Maw, (14)
forming by its course the greater and smaller tract of sands called the
Traeth Mawr and the Traeth Bachan. The Dissennith also, and the
Arthro, flow through Merionethshire and the land of Conan. The
Conwy, springing from the northern side of the Eryri mountains, unites
its waters with the sea under the noble castle of Deganwy. The Cloyd
rises from another side of the same mountain, and passes by the castle
of Ruthlan to the sea. The Doverdwy, called by the English Dee, draws
its source from the lake of Penmelesmere, and runs through Chester,
leaving the wood of Coleshulle, Basinwerk, and a rich vein of silver in
its neighbourhood, far to the right, and by the influx of the sea forming
a very dangerous quicksand; thus the Dee makes the northern, and the
river Wye the southern boundary of Wales.

CHAPTER VI

Concerning the pleasantness and fertility of Wales
As the southern part of Wales near Cardiganshire, but particularly
Pembrokeshire, is much pleasanter, on account of its plains and
sea-coast, so North Wales is better defended by nature, is more
productive of men distinguished for bodily strength, and more fertile in
the nature of its soil; for, as the mountains of Eryri (Snowdon) could
supply pasturage for all the herds of cattle in Wales, if collected
together, so could the Isle of Mona (Anglesey) provide a requisite
quantity of corn for all the inhabitants: on which account there is an old
British proverb, "MON MAM CYMBRY," that is, "Mona is the mother

of Wales." Merionyth, and the land of Conan, is the rudest and least
cultivated region, and the least accessible. The natives of that part of
Wales excel in the use of long lances, as those of Monmouthshire are
distinguished for their management of the bow. It is to be observed,
that the British language is more delicate and richer in North Wales,
that country being less intermixed with foreigners. Many, however,
assert that the language of Cardiganshire, in South Wales, placed as it
were in the middle and heart of Cambria, is the most refined.
The people of Cornwall and the Armoricans speak a language similar to
that of the Britons; and from its origin and near resemblance, it is
intelligible to the Welsh in many instances, and almost in all; and
although less delicate and methodical, yet it approaches, as I judge,
more to the ancient British idiom. As in the southern parts of England,
and particularly in Devonshire, the English language seems less
agreeable, yet it bears more marks of antiquity (the northern parts being
much corrupted by the irruptions of the Danes and Norwegians), and
adheres more strictly to the original language and ancient mode of
speaking; a positive proof of which may be deduced from all the
English works of Bede, Rhabanus, and king Alfred, being written
according to this idiom.

CHAPTER VII

Origin of the names Cambria and Wales
Cambria was so called from Camber, son of Brutus, for Brutus,
descending from the Trojans, by his grandfather, Ascanius, and father,
Silvius, led the remnant of the Trojans, who had long been detained in
Greece, into this western isle; and having reigned many years, and
given his name to the country and people, at his death divided the
kingdom of Wales between his three sons. To his eldest son, Locrinus,
he gave that part of the island which lies between the rivers Humber
and Severn, and which from him was called Loegria. To his second son,