Cardiff Llandaff Contents

CARDIFF The capital of Glamorganshire, is a handsome well built town, pleasantly seated on a fertile flat, about three miles from the eastern extremity of the county, where it is joined by Monmouthshire, 40 miles from Bristol, 2 from Llandaff, 12 from Newport, and 160 from London. The river Taff runs along the west side of the town, over which is a good bridge of five arches, and falls into the Bristol Channel 3 miles below, which, with the River Elai, forms the harbour of Penarth. The town contains two parishes, St. John's and St. Mary's; and several good streets, which are well lighted with gas. It was inclosed by a stone wall, in which were four gates, and a deep ditch, with a watch tower still to be seen. At present there is only one church, for, by a great innundation of the sea in 1607, the church of St. Mary, with many other buildings in that parish, were undermined and swept away. The church of St. John stands near the centre of the town, is a plain Norman structure, supposed to have been erected in the 13th century. The arch of the west door is rich and handsome; the tower, of more modern date than the body, is a lofty square building of great beauty, having at the corners open pinnacles or lanterns, much admired for their elegance and exquisite workmanship, which have been lately repaired in a manner highly creditable to the artist. The interior of the church is handsome, though there are no objects of antiquarian interest. There are also six Dissenting Meeting houses, viz:- two Methodist, two Baptist, and two Independent; in one of each the service is perfomed in English, the other in Welsh. The castle still forms a most interesting object. The Western front has a remarkable fine appearance from the road approachingthe town from that side, the interior was repaired and modernised some years since, but the additions do not harmonise with the ancient architecture. The ditch that formerly surrounded the building has been filled up, and the whole of the ground laid out in a fine level lawn. The rampart, within the external wall, has been planted with shrubs, and on the summit a terrace walk extends the whole length, affording a most delightful prospect; among the most striking objects are the bold promontory of Penarth, and two islands in the Bristol channel, called the Flat and Steep Holmes, about three leagues distant; on the former of which stands a light house. The Town hall is a respectable modern erection, and stands in the middle of High street : here the assizes for the county are held, and near it is the county jail, built upon the plan of the late Mr. Howard. Cardiff is an ancient corporation, under the government of the constable of the Castle, two bailiffs, (the present bailiffs are Wm. Prichardand John Bird), twelve aldermen, twelve capital burgesses, a steward, town clerk, two sergeants at mace, (who are sheriffs of the town), a water bailiff, two common attorneys, and several inferior officers. The town in conjunction with the contributory boroughs of Swansea, Neath, Cowbridge, Lougher, Aberavon, Kenfigg, and Llantrissiant, sends one member to Parliament. The present member is Wyndham Lewis, Esq. The town and neighbourhood carries on a considerable trade with Bristol, sending great quantities of oats, barley, poultry, &c. but its greatest trade is the export of wrought iron, tin, &c. of the former, not less than 100,000 tons are shipped annually for London and other ports. It is brought from Merthyr and its vicinity by the means of a curious canal, cut through a mountainous country, with great ingenuity, for more than 25 miles; the head of which, at Merthyr-bridge, is above 568 feet higher than the tide lock. Four miles from Cardiff, on the river Taff, are the extensive tin-works of Richd. Blackmore, Esq. & Co. called "Melin Griffith," and 2 miles farther, are the iron furnaces and forges, called "Pentyrch," belonging to the same Company; a little higher is the porcelain china manufactory of Mr. Young, and at the distance of 4 miles from that is the coal works of B. Grover, Esq. called "Porth-y-Gloe." The population, according to the last returns, was 1,841 females and 1,680 males, total 3,521. Market days: Wednesday and Saturday. Fairs, 2nd. Wednesday in March; 2nd. Wednesday in April; 2nd. Wednesday in May; 29th. June; 19th. September; and 20th. November.

Post Office. Castle-street - John Bird, Post Master. Mail to Bristol every morning at eight, to Swansea and Ireland every evening at half-past five, to Merthyr Tydfil every evening at six.

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