Wales Illustrated North Wales. Llanrwst Bridge [Map] And Church.

Llanrwst is a small town, pleasantly situated on the river Conway, in Denbighshire, and though but a small place, it monopolises the chief trade of the surrounding district. The bridge [Llanrwst Bridge, Clywd [Map]] is considered the principal object worthy of notice, having been built after a design by the celebrated Inigo Jones, who is said to have been a native of the place, and who also furnished the design for the chapel, adjoining the church. Though not magnificent, the bridge is certainly a handsome structure, and displays somewhat of the genius of its farfamed architect. It was built by an order from the privy council, in the 9th year of Charles the first ; the expense, estimated at one thousand pounds, being conjointly defrayed by the counties it connects — Caernarvon and Denbigh. It consists of three arches, the central one the largest, measuring nearly sixty feet in the span; — it is asserted that this bridge is formed upon such nice principles, that when a person pushes against the large stone placed over the middle arch, the whole fabric may be felt to vibrate. The scenery, both above and below, is enchanting; gratifying the sight with the finest objects, grouped in endless variety. The hills and woods, which line both margins of the river, are enlivened by the busy display of small vessels on its surface, going to and from Triefrew, a village about two miles down, and the highest point to which the tide flows; or with still more diminutive coracles, fishing for salmon and smelts. Less extended than the vale of Clwyd, and wider than that of Llangollen, the vale of Llanrwst has often been admired, as exhibiting the most variegated assemblage of beauty; it has been the subject of eulogium of that competent judge, both of the sublime and beautiful, Mr. Burke, who pronounced it, "the most charming spot he had seen in Wales." This place was famous for the manufacture of Welsh harps; but in 1810, the harp makers had become extinct, no one carrying on that business, and the instrument becoming scarce, rose in price; those, by the best makers, fetching twenty-five guineas.