vious letters I have spoken of the magnitude, the population, the wealth, and the great importance of London; but all these descriptions fail to convey so correct an idea of the real character of the place as is furnished by its railway termini-those gates of the world, through which enter the produce and representatives of all nations. Like those in Liverpool and all other large towns throughout England, they are constructed on a scale of magnificence and costliness that would utterly astound the advocates of railways in our country. To give you some idea of these magnificent structures, I will describe the above-named station, which was the first erected in London, having been completed in the year 1838, at a cost of £125,000. You approach an extensive range of buildings for the reception of passengers through a noble propylon, or architectural gateway, having four lodges connected with it, intermediate to which, and in connection with the whole, are large, lofty, and ornamental gates of cast iron. The propylon is a most successful adaptation of the Grecian Doric. The extreme length of the entrance is upwards of three hundred feet, and the columns are higher than those of any other building in London, measuring from the pavement to the top of the columns, forty-four feet two inches; the diameter at the base being eight feet six inches. The public hall, general meeting room, lost baggage and various other offices, are all very commodious. and convenient. The walls of this station are in imitation of granite'; the ceiling is panelled, deeply recessed, fully enriched, and connected with the walls by boldly designed ornamented consoles. Over the door of the general meeting room is a sculptured group, representing most beautifully Britannia, with Mercury and Science on either side. This company, which is interested, either directly or indirectly, in more than twelve hundred miles of railway, has very fine stations at every place of importance, at each of which a certain number of officers are constantly stationed to prevent accidents, and see that every thing is conducted with order and precision. On all the routes they have three classes of carriages, which are constructed differently from ours, being divided into three apartments instead of having all in one. The seats run entirely across the carriage, and face each other. Each apartment is capable of holding eight persons on the broad gauge, and six on the narrow. The first class carriages, which are used only by the nobility and foreigners, are

exceedingly comfortable, being well cushioned with spring-bottom seats. The second class carriages, which are most generally used, are precisely like the first with the exception of the cushioned seats. Persons going short distances always take this class, as there is a very great difference in the fare. The third class are very neat, but not very comfortably arranged, and are used only by the lower classes. The expense of travel in this country is enormous, far exceeding any part of the United States. You can travel from Maine to Texas with the same amount of money that it would require to convey you through the kingdom of Great Britain. The reason of this difference in travel is to be attributed to the great expense of building roads in England. With us the right of way is a small matter, while here it amounts to millions, and aside from this consideration, the actual cost of railroads in America is about one third of that in this country.

The Great Western Railway passes through the richest and most beautiful agricultural region in England. The farms along the line are hedged in with the well-trimmed hawthorn, and are cultivated upon principles far better than is to be seen in any other part of the country. The crops all look clean and promising, and the stock, which are of superior breed to any that I have seen, are well-conditioned, giving evidence that things are in a prosperous situation. The houses of the peasantry in this part of England are neater, better built, and altogether more comfortable than those of the north. Having travelled on the above named road as far as Gloucester, we took a post coach for Chepstow, by way of Monmouth, in order to view the scenery on the river Wye, which is described by writers as very like the Rhine in point of beauty and romance. It is certainly the most beautiful scenery in England, but like all of Nature's works in this country, it is on a miniature scale. The most interesting object on the Wye is the ruins of Tintern Abbey, which belongs to theDuke of Beaufort. It is situated on the edge of a lofty precipice overhanging the stream, from the summit of which the visitor can view all of South Wales and several counties in England. The ruins are covered with ivy, and present a very picturesque appearance. The monastery was founded in the year 1131 by Walter de Chase. At the dissolution, the site was granted to Henry, second Earl of Worcester, ancestor to its present possessor. This county once con

stituted part of Wales, but now belongs to England, being one of that number lopped off at different periods to gratify the whim or caprice of the sovereign. An old Welshman travelling in the coach informed me that Wales lost a county every century, a process of diminution which must, if it continues, soon efface the distinctive features of the Welsh race. From the beautiful banks of the Wye, we continued our journey to the Hills of Great Malvern, in Worcestershire, a place recently rendered celebrated throughout England on account of the marvellous cures said to have been effected by Dr. Wilson, the great leader among the advocates of the Hydropathic system. The object of our visit was to see an American friend who is in delicate health, and is now undergoing the various processes of wrapping in wet sheets, steaming, dieting, exercising, and bathing. He told me that he thought he had improved very much since he had commenced the treatment, and in fact looks much better; but I think it is to be attributed more to the regular exercise and diet, breathing pure air, and drinking pure water, than the system of ablutions that they are required to go through. There are a great number of invalids at this place from different countries, and among them several of our own countrymen who have been persuaded that hydropathy will cure any and all diseases. Bathing is undoubtedly greatly conducive to health, and should be practised by every one, but there is a medium in all things. The idea of wrapping people up in wet sheets and blankets like mummies, steaming them almost to suffocation, and then plunging them into cold water, seems to me to be an absurdity, and contrary to all reason. Like Mesmerism, it is necessary for the patient to have faith in order to effect a cure. Faith works wonders; it makes a man sometimes believe that black is white-converts the vilest sinner into a Christian, and will ultimately revolutionize the world.

From Great Malvern we came to this place, which is the oldest and most curious city in England. It is situated on a rocky eminence, and surrounded by the ancient walls, built while a Roman station, forming a delightful promenade, and commanding fine views of the river Dee, and the neighboring scenery. The houses are constructed in a very singular manner, being excavated from the rock to the depth of one story beneath the level of the ground on each side, and having porticoes running along the front, affording a cov

`ered walk to pedestrians, and beneath them are shops and warehouses on a level with the streets. The castle, which is now used for barracks, and the old cathedral, are the most interesting buildings in the city. The former was erected during the reign of William the Conqueror, and the latter was the church of the dissolved abbey of St. Warburgh. Chester is the place where Edward of Caernarvon received the submission of the Welsh in 1300. It was besieged and taken by the parliamentary forces in 1645.

About three miles from Chester, on the banks of the river Dee, is Eaton Hall, the seat of the Marquis of Westminster. It is a superb mansion, rebuilt in the Gothic style, and is fitted up in great splendor. Among the paintings in the gallery I observed two by West, which are regarded by judges as very superior. One represents Cromwell dissolving the Parliament, and the other the landing of Charles II. Next to Chatsworth, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, Eaton Hall may be regarded as the most magnificent and desirable country residence in England.

LETTER FOURTEEN.

MENAI STRAIT, near Britannia Bridge, Wales.

Tour through North Wales-Vale of Llangollen-Capel Cerrey-Vale of Llanberis-Snowdon-Slate Mines-Character of the Country and People-Tubular and Suspension Bridges-Isle of Anglesey-Marquis of Anglesey's Column, &c.

AFTER passing through the densely populated cities and highly cultivated farms which greet the eye on every side in Old England, one experinces pleasures altogether different as he approaches the mountainous region of North Wales. Here he is, comparatively, in a wild country, surrounded by lofty cliffs, deep ravines, and uninterrupted silence, save only the occasional bleating of the mountain lamb, and the echo of the miner's hammer in the far-off hills. The transition being so sudden, and so great, it is almost impossible to realize that you are in a country governed by the same laws, and acknowledging the same sovereign authority. The face of nature, the character of the people, their habitations and their language, are as

different as you can well imagine, and you would never dream of being in Britain's realm were it not for the gaudy livery of her Majesty's mail-carriers, and the occasional mention of the name of the young Prince of Wales.

Leaving the railroad near the little town of Llangollen, we passed through a beautiful vale of the same name, in which are to be seen many romantic views, and places of picturesque beauty. Among the places of interest on the roadside are yet to be seen the remains of Valle Cruces Abbey, founded in 1200. They are covered with ivy, and shaded by lofty ash trees, and near the ruins is Ellisey's Pillar, erected by Conceres to perpetuate the memory of his ancestor Ellisey, who was killed fighting against the Saxons, in 607.

The only mode of public travel through this portion of Wales is by post coach, which compels tourists who desire to examine particular places, either to lie over a stage, or procure a private conveyance, in which he can travel at his leisure. Preferring this mode, we left the little town of Cowen, and proceeded to Cape Cerrey, a romantic place near several lakes much resorted to by anglers, as they abound with trout, grayling, and salmon. Here we found an excellent inn, which was not only "licensed to sell ale, porter, and spirituous liquors to be drunk on the premises," but allowed the guests of the house the extraordinary privilege of trying their luck with the hook and line in the waters of the placid lakes. Being no fisherman, either by nature or acquirement, I abandoned the idea of watching the floating cork, and allowed myself to be conveyed by the dulcet tones of a harp, touched by the hands of a blind Welshman, into the land of dreams and sweet repose.

On the following morning we made an early start for the Vale of Llanberis, which presents by far the most beautiful scenery to be seen in North Wales. On one side, the lofty and majestic peaks of Snowdon rear themselves nearly four thousand feet above the level of the sea, furnishing a panorama of natural beauty which fully compensates the tourist for the fatigue and annoyance which he must necessarily undergo in his ascent upon a miserable donkey, about the size of a large goat, which is urged along the rugged pathway by the constant pelting and hideous shouts of the guide, who is always close at hand, holding on to the tail of the poor animal. At the foot of the mountain are the remains of Dolbardern Castle, covered over