A MARITIME county of North Wales, extending thirty-five miles in length
by thirty-four in breadth, and spreading over an area of four hundred and
thirty thousand acres. This was the Roman Mervinia, and derives its name
from Merion, a British prince and distinguished general, who expelled the
Irish from this district, some time in the fifth century. A Roman
occupancy of Merioneth, and one of some duration, is abundantly evident
from the encampments and roads still remaining, as well as from the coins
and medals frequently dug up here. The surface of the country is a
continuation of the mountain chain which rises on the coast of
Caernarvonshire, and traversing the principality dips into the Bristol
Channel. The loftiest of the Merioneth hills “Cader Idris,” or the Chair
of Idris, is elevated two thousand nine hundred and fourteen feet above
the sea, a height inferior to that of Snowdon; but its position as a
natural observatory, a purpose to which tradition states it was applied
by Idris the astronomer, is infinitely superior to that of the monarch of
the Caernarvon hills. The beauty of the scenery of mountain, valley,
lake, and river, is not exceeded by those of similar and rival character
in the adjoining counties, and its seclusion and primitiveness are less
interrupted and more complete. In cataracts and delicious passages of
river scenery it is superior to any other shire in Wales. To the want of
roads may be traced the retirement in which the inhabitants live, to many
possibly this may be a subject of envy rather than regret. The
population are engaged chiefly in agriculture, that is in the rearing of
sheep, black cattle, and the care of wool; the slate quarries also
contributing a large revenue towards their more easy and comfortable
subsistence. Bark and oak timber, next to the trade in slates,
constitute their most important articles of commerce.