the Welsh, which finally resulted in the conquest of that people by the English invaders.  In a little dungeonlike room, tradition declares that Edward II, first Prince of Wales, was born.  This is vigorously insisted upon in the local guide-book as an actual historic fact, although it is quite as vigorously disputed by numerous antiquarians, uninfluenced by Carnarvon’s interests.  The castle is now the property of the town and is well looked after.

Leaving Carnarvon, our next objective was Conway, whose castle is hardly less famous and even more picturesque than that of its neighbor, though in more ruinous condition.  The road we followed closely skirts the coast for a great part of the distance, running at times on the verge of the ocean.  In places it reminds one of the Axenstrasse of Lake Lucerne, being cut in the side of the cliffs overhanging the sea, with here and there great masses of rock projecting over it; and passes occasionally through a tunnel cut in the stone.  A few miles north of Carnarvon we passed through Bangor, one of the most prosperous-looking towns in North Wales and the seat of one of the few Welsh cathedrals—­a long, low, though not unpleasing, building.  The site of this cathedral had been continuously occupied by a church since the Sixth Century, although the present structure dates from the Thirteenth.

An hour’s run after leaving Bangor brought us in sight of the towers of Conway Castle.  Nowhere in Britain does the spirit of mediaevalism linger as it does in the ancient town of Conway.  It is still surrounded by its old wall with twenty-one watch-towers and the three gateways originally leading into the town have been recently restored.  The castle stands on the verge of a precipitous rock and its outer walls are continuous with those of the town.  It is a perfect specimen of a Thirteenth Century military fortress, with walls of enormous thickness, flanked by eight huge, circular towers.  It was built by Edward I in 1284.  Several times it was besieged by the Welsh and on one occasion came near falling into their hands while the king himself was in the castle.  It was besieged during the Parliamentary wars, but for some unaccountable reason it was not destroyed or seriously damaged when captured.  Its present dilapidated state is due to the action of its owner, Lord Conway, shortly after, in dismantling it to sell the lead and timber of the building, and it was permitted to fall into gradual decay.  The castle, with its eight towers and bridge, which matches it in general style and which was built about fifty years ago, is one of the best known objects in the whole Kingdom.  It has been made familiar to everybody through innumerable photographs and pictures.