affords a most rich and beautiful walk, extending along the celebrated
vale of Clwyd. This rich tract of land, called, _The Eden of
North-Wales_, extends in length about twenty-five miles, and in breadth
about eight. The neighbourhood of Ruthin afford the best view of this
vale: though it is by no means so interesting and romantic, as the vale
of Glamorganshire, yet its high cultivation, and picturesque, but
moderate height of the hills, rising on each side of the river Clwyd,
renders the scenery pleasing: its chief produce is corn. Both these
vales claim the attention of the traveller; and both have to boast of
particular beauties. One mile from St. Asaph, we passed, on our right,
the elegant seat of Sir Edward Lloyd. We still followed the banks the
Clwyd, and at the farthest extremity a light elegant bridge, of seven
arches, with the dark Tower of St. Asaph’s Cathedral, rising on an
eminence just over it, gave a picturesque effect to the whole scenery.
The town itself is built on a hill, in one strait line, with a few neat
houses. The Cathedral naturally demands attention; the inside is
remarkably neat and elegant, entirely Gothic, with the ceiling of
chesnut, and open ribs, like the skeleton of a ship: it has lately been
repaired by Mr. Turner, architect of Whitchurch, at the great expence of
two thousand four hundred pounds. The monument of David ap Owen, Bishop
of this diocese, was particularly pointed out to us. The Bishop’s Palace
has been entirely rebuilt by the present diocesan. The Choir consists of
a Bishop, Dean, six Canons, seven Prebends, and four Vicars. There are
no monuments in the church-yard, and few of any importance within its
venerable walls.
St. Asaph receives its derivation from its patron, who established a
Bishop’s see here, in the year 590: but in British it is named
_Llan-Elwy_, on account of the conflux of the Elwy with the Clywd. It is
singular, that the Bishop’s jurisdiction extends over no entire county,
but part of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Montgomeryshire, Merionethshire,
and Shropshire.