“The evening was calm, and the favourite tunes of ‘_God save the King_’ and ‘_Rule Britannia_’ floated in the air, amongst the echoes of the vale. Many (probably more than eight thousand) people were stationed all around us, from the tops of the mountains to the banks of the Dee, and were cheering and exulting, with intervals of silent astonishment. All within sight or hearing were expressing their sense of the general happiness. The whole valley of Llangollen might be said to laugh and sing.”
The following inscription is on the Aqueduct upon the side of the pier next to the south side of the river:—
The Nobility and Gentry of The adjacent Counties, Having united their Efforts with The great commercial Interests of this Country, In creating an intercourse and union between ENGLAND AND NORTH WALES, By a navigable communication of the three Rivers, Severn, Dee, and Mersey, For the mutual benefit of Agriculture and Trade, Caused the first Stone of this Aqueduct of PONTCYSYLLTE To be laid on the 25th day of July, 1795, When Richard Myddelton, of Chirk, Esq. M.P. One of the original patrons of the ELLESMERE CANAL, Was Lord of this Manor, And in the reign of our Sovereign GEORGE THE THIRD; When the Equity of the Laws and The security of Property Promoted the general Welfare of the Nation; While the Arts and Sciences flourished By his Patronage, and The Conduct of civil Life was improved By his Example.
Returning from this stupendous work of human ingenuity and exertion, towards the Castell Dinas Bran,
A large brick mansion, presents itself. It is situated on a rising ground, on the north side of the Wrexham road; and was once the residence of John Trevor, Bishop of St. Asaph, who in the year 1346, caused a stone bridge to be built over the Dee, at Llangollen, which is accounted one of the wonders of Wales.
Mr. Pennant says { 39} “Trevor Hall passed into the family of the Lloyds, and has continued in that family to the present time.” The last possessor was a lady of the name of Thomas, deceased in the year 1826, and leaving a son to inherit, although at present he does not occupy the premises. The house is roomy and substantial, and is pleasantly situated; but has no pretensions to elegance or beauty. Near the house is a church, or rather chapel, of ease, enjoying Queen Anne’s bounty, in which English service is performed on the first Sunday in every month.