There are several remains of military forts in this neighbourhood, whose
appearance indicates them to be of Roman origin. While reviewing them
our thoughts are instinctively carried back to those days when the
stranger tenanted the land—
When o’er this rugged mountain
Rome’s earliest legions past.
Upon the summit of the mountain called _Pen Caer Gybi_ (the Head of
Cybi’s Fort) is a remarkable Roman antiquity, viz.: _Caer Twr_, (Fort
Tower). This circular building was formerly strongly cemented with the
same kind of mortar as the Fort (church walls) of the Town, and supposed
to have been a _Roman Pharos_, or Watch Tower. It had stood and braved
the crushing thunder, vivid lightning, and warring winds and storms, for
perhaps sixteen hundred centuries. But the rude hand of man has marred
it, hoping by so doing to meet with an Australian digging.
Upon this mount a tower stands
Well known in days of yore;
When chieftains with their hostile bands,
Shed floods of human gore.
’Tis now in ruins—but a spell
Of grandeur haunts the scene;
While none remain the deeds to tell,
The deeds of blood there seen.
Upon the side of the mountain runs a long dry wall, several feet high in
many places. The peculiar form of the wall exhibits the Roman architect;
and there is no doubt the Romans had here one of their posts, or walled
encampments.
There is a power
And magic in the ruined battlement
For which the palace of the present hour
Must yield, and wait, till ages are its dower.
On the opposite or West side of the mountain, and about ten minutes’ walk
from the Telegraph, on the right hand of the footpath leading to South
Stack, and in a situation awfully romantic, may be seen traces of a
religious house called _Capel Lochwyd_. Here also the hand of man has
effected a greater demolition than the elemental war of many centuries;
the altar and walls have been removed with the hope of finding treasure.
It is worth while to visit this spot were it but to admire the taste
which these hermits of old had in fixing their residence; and the piety,
it may be, which led them to seek a solitary abode so favourable to
devotion. From this spot has ascended the voice of prayer, and the hymn
of praise. I doubt not but the surrounding rocks have witnessed such
acts of self-denial, fervent devotion, and entire consecration to God as
would put many of us, who are making a flaming profession, to the blush.
I should imagine that few could view these remarkable remains of ancient
piety without feeling, in some degree, the sentiment so admirably
expressed by the Poet—
I do love these ancient ruins;
We never tread upon them but we set
Our foot upon some reverend history.
Close to this sacred spot is one of the most extraordinary clefts in the
solid rock ever seen by man. It would well repay the walk of miles to
see it. It was here the Welsh lads and lasses of the last century
descended and ascended, when they tested their fortunes in reference to
the profound hymeneal question named in page 17. My friend who
accompanied me to view these ancient ruins, descended the ravine, but I
preferred remaining in meditative mood. The information, however, which
he gave, on returning, of the scenery of the “lower regions,” created in
my bosom a desire, which I purpose, at some future period, should life be
spared, to gratify. It is a delightful walk from here to South Stack,
which may be accomplished in about half-an-hour. Many Roman coins of the
time of late emperors were found a few years ago in this mountain; also
several coins of Constantine the Great, in a very perfect state, one of
which was presented to the Marquis of Anglesey by Captain H. Evans. In
1835, in removing some old walls at _Ty Mawr_ (Large House) the property
of Lord Stanley of Alderley, were found several spear-heads, axes, and
rings, of bronze, with red amber blades, which, from the form and nature
of the materials, appear to be of Phœnician origin.
It is a pity that ruins of such thrilling interest should have been so
shamefully demolished. As the number of visitors to Holyhead will
increase annually, it is hoped that efforts will be made to restore some
of them, for they will always be objects of attraction.
By this time, I presume, you feel disposed for the “good things” of this
life, and cast a longing look towards your quarters. Of one thing I am
fully persuaded, that you will feel your health better, your spirits
brighter, your appetite keener, your mind expanded, your thoughts
assuming a loftier and yet more refined bearing, from your having visited
Nature in a few of her sublimer abodes.