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The ancient City of Chester is unquestionably the most attractive and convenient starting-place, from which should commence the journey of the tourist, who is desirous of exploring the beautiful and romantic country of North Wales, with its lovely valleys, its majestic mountains, its placid lakes, its rushing torrents, its rural retreats, and its picturesque castles. Before leaving Chester, however, it will amply repay the intelligent traveller to devote some time to the examination of the many objects of interest, with which the “old city” abounds. A ramble round the Walls, embracing a circuit of about two miles, will not only disclose to the stranger a succession of views, illustrative of the quaint architecture and the singular formation of the city, but will reveal a series of landscapes of the most varied and charming description; while the ancient fortifications themselves, with their four gates and rugged towers, serve to exemplify the features of that troubled age, when they were erected for the protection of our ancestors against hostile invasions. Another striking peculiarity of Chester is the construction of the covered promenades, or Rows, in which the principal mercantile establishments are situated: unique and very curious are these old arcades, which are as interesting to the antiquarian, as they are convenient for a quiet lounge to ladies and others engaged in “shopping.” The singular old houses, too, with their elaborately carved gables, of which Watergate-street, Bridge-street, and Northgate-street, furnish some remarkable specimens, will naturally attract attention. Among public edifices, the venerable Cathedral, though not possessing much claim to external elegance, is replete with interest, from the style of its architecture, and the many historical associations which a visit within its sacred precincts awakens. The cloisters and the chapter-house are interesting memorials of olden time; while the beautiful and effective restoration of the choir, which has lately been completed under the skilful superintendence of Mr. Hussey, of Birmingham, commands the admiration of all who take pleasure in ecclesiological improvements. The fittings of the interior have been entirely renovated; the Bishop’s throne, a splendid and characteristic erection, has been restored; a new stone pulpit (the gift of Sir E. S. Walker, of Chester) has been introduced, to harmonise with the style of the building; an altar screen, to divide the Lady Chapel from the choir, has been presented by the Rev. P. W. Hamilton, of Hoole; the eastern windows have been filled with stained glass, of admirable design and execution, by Mr. Wailes, of Newcastle; and a powerful organ, which cost £1000, has been built by Messrs. Gray and Davison, of London. The expenses of the restoration were defrayed by public subscription; and too much praise cannot be given to the Dean (Dr. F. Anson) for the zeal and liberality with which he has promoted these gratifying improvements, as well as for the efficient and orderly manner in which the choral services of the Cathedral are conducted. The fine old Church of St. John the Baptist, which in the tenth century was the Cathedral of the diocese, with the adjacent ruins of the Priory, should not be left unvisited; and St. Mary’s Church also presents, in its roof and monuments, some objects of interest worth examining. Of the ancient Castle, very little, except Julius Cæsar’s tower, remains; but a magnificent modern structure, for military and county purposes, has been erected on the site of the old edifice, after designs by the late Mr. Harrison, of Chester. The shire-hall is an elegant fabric of light-coloured stone, the principal entrance to which is through a portico of twelve columns in double rows, 22 feet high, and 3 feet 1½ inch in diameter, each formed of a single stone. The court-room is a spacious semi-circular hall, lighted from above. The county prison is behind, on a lower level, whence prisoners are brought into the dock by a flight of steps. The extremities of the county-hall are flanked by two uniform elegant buildings, facing each other, appropriated as barracks for the officers and soldiers of the garrison. In the higher ward is an armoury, where from thirty to forty thousand stand of arms, and other munitions of war, are constantly kept, in the same beautifully arranged manner as at the Tower of London. The spacious open area in front of the Castle is enclosed by a semi-circular wall, surmounted with iron railings; in the centre is the grand entrance, of Doric architecture, greatly admired for its chaste construction and elegant execution. The front view is classical and imposing.

A noble Bridge crosses the Dee at the south-east angle of the Roodee, the picturesque Race-course of Chester; it is approached by a new road from the centre of Bridge-street, which passes by the castle esplanade, proceeds across the city walls, and then by an immense embankment thrown over a deep valley. The bridge consists of one main stone arch, with a small dry arch or towing path on each side, by which the land communication is preserved on both sides of the river. The distinguishing feature of this edifice is the unparalleled width of the chord or span of the main arch, which is of greater extent than that of any other arch of masonry known to have been constructed. Of its dimensions the following is an accurate delineation:—The span of the arch is two hundred feet; [0] the height of the arch from the springing line, 40 feet; the dimensions of the main abutments, 48 feet wide by 40, with a dry arch as a towing path at each side, 20 feet wide, flanked with immense wing walls, to support the embankment. The whole length of the road-way, 340 feet. Width of the bridge from outside the parapet walls, 35 feet 6 inches, divided thus: carriage-road, 24 feet; the two causeways, 9 feet; thickness of the parapet walls, 2 feet 6 inches. Altitude from the top of the parapet wall to the river at low water mark, 66 feet 6 inches. The architectural plan of this bridge was furnished by the late Mr. Thomas Harrison; Mr. James Trubshaw, of Newcastle, Staffordshire, was the builder; Mr. Jesse Hartley, of Liverpool, the surveyor. The bridge was formally opened in October, 1832, by her Royal Highness the Princess (now Queen) Victoria, on occasion of her visit and that of her royal parent, the Duchess of Kent, to Eaton Hall. As a compliment to her noble host, the bridge was named Grosvenor Bridge by the young Princess.

Our limited space prevents us from entering into particular descriptions of other buildings and antiquities, which might well claim our attention; as the remarkable Crypt and Roman Bath in Bridge-street, the Museum at the Water Tower, the Blue Goat Hospital, the Training College, the Linen Hall, the Episcopal Palace, the Exchange, &c.; but we must not omit to remind the stranger, that when at Chester, he is only three miles distant from that magnificent modern mansion, Eaton Hall, the seat of the Marquis of Westminster. The approach to the beautiful and extensive park in which this princely abode is situated, is by an elegant Lodge on the Grosvenor Road, about a quarter of a mile from Chester Castle; or the excursion may be made by a boat on the lucid bosom of the river Dee, which runs through verdant meads and lovely scenery close by the pleasure-grounds of the Hall. Visitors must be careful to provide themselves with tickets, which may be obtained of the publisher of this little work in Bridge-street Row, or they will not be admitted to view the interior of the mansion. The elaborate adornments, the gorgeous fittings, and the truly magnificent architecture of Eaton Hall, with its superb furniture, its beautiful pictures, and exquisite sculpture, never fail to excite the most lively admiration; and to pass it without a call, would be held by the residents of this neighbourhood to be a sort of topographical heresy, of which tourists should not be guilty.

Having satisfied their taste and curiosity by exploring the attractions and characteristics of Chester and the vicinity, we will suppose that our travellers are now ready to proceed into Wales; and for the purpose of directing and enlivening their journey, we present them, in this little Manual, with a faithful Guide and an amusing Companion by the way. The admirer of Nature, in her wildest or her loveliest guise; the man of antiquarian research, the student of history, the valetudinarian in quest of health, or the ardent votary of “the rod and line,” anxiously seeking for favourable spots where the angler may best indulge his piscatorial fancies; may find in the following pages some information adapted to his taste and pursuits.

Among the other advantages which Chester possesses as a starting-place for visiting the Principality, may be mentioned its position as a grand central terminus, where the London and North Western, the Chester and Holyhead, the Shrewsbury and Chester, the Chester and Birkenhead, and the Lancashire and Cheshire Junction Railways, meet. A splendid station, commensurate with the requirements of the traffic from this combination of railway interests, will forthwith be built at Chester, at an estimated cost of £80,000. The Shrewsbury and Chester line being now open as far as Ruabon, pleasant excursions can easily be made to the vale of Gresford, Wrexham, Wynnstay Park, and Llangollen: and as in August of this year (1847) the Chester and Holyhead Railway will be opened as for as Conway, visits to that delightful locality, including the intermediate stations for Flint, Mostyn, St. Asaph, Rhyl, and Abergele, may then be enjoyed in a day. Facilities like these will no doubt tend greatly to increase the number of tourists to North Wales; where the principal hotels are admirably conducted, and carriages, cars, and horses, with civil drivers well acquainted with the country, may be engaged on satisfactory terms.

It may not be without its use to indicate a few excursions, which would include some of the most interesting and romantic parts of the Principality. From Chester, a charming trip may be taken to Hawarden, Holywell, St. Asaph, Abergele, Conway, Aber, Bangor, Menai Bridge, Beaumaris; returning by Penrhyn Castle, the Nant Ffrancon Slate Quarries, Capel Curig, Rhaiadr-y-Wennol, Bettws-y-Coed, Pentrevoelas, Corwen, Llangollen, Wynnstay Park, Wrexham, Eaton Hall, Chester; or Eaton Hall may be taken on leaving Chester, Wrexham next, and so on to Beaumaris, returning by Conway and Holywell. This route may be comfortably accomplished in four days; or if pressed for time, in three, as the railway would be available from Ruabon (Wynnstay Park) to Chester.

Another excursion, which would occupy four days, might be made by taking the railway from Chester to Birkenhead, embarking at Liverpool in the steam-packet which passes Beaumaris and the Menai bridge for Caernarvon, thence to Beddgelert, Pont Aberglaslyn, and return, ascend Snowdon, descend to Dolbadarn, Pass of Llanberis, Capel Curig, Rhaiadr-y-Wennol, and return by Nant Ffrancon slate quarries, Penrhyn Castle and Bangor, thence by steamer to Liverpool.

An agreeable and more extended route may also be taken from Caernarvon to Clynog, Pwllheli, Criccieth, Tremadoc, Port Madoc, Tan-y-bwlch, Maentwrog, Ffestiniog, Beddgelert, Nant Gwynan, Capel Curig, Rhaiadr-y-Wennol, Bettws-y-coed, Llanrwst, Conway, Penmaen Mawr, Aber, and Bangor for the packet to Liverpool.

Another journey may be accomplished in nine days:—from Chester to Eaton hall, Wrexham, Wynnstay, Chirk Castle, Llangollen, Valle Crucis Abbey, Corwen, Vale of Edeirnion, Bala, Dolgelley, Cader Idris, Barmouth, Harlech, Maentwrog, Tan-y-Bwlch, Ffestiniog, Port Madoc, Tremadoc, Pont Aberglaslyn, Beddgelert, Capel Curig, Dolbadarn, Victoria Hotel, Snowdon, Caernarvon, Menai bridge, Bangor, Aber, Conway, Abergele, St. Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin, Mold, Chester.

Those whose time is less limited can readily select tours which will include a wider range of country, according to their taste and convenience; we have, therefore, adopted, in our literary panorama, an alphabetical arrangement, which, with the aid of the index, will direct the reader to the description of any place he may be desirous of visiting; and, as the distances are also marked, he may readily calculate the extent of the route he contemplates. The work has been compiled from authentic sources, and has been carefully revised, throughout, by the present editor, with the view of presenting to the public an accurate and entertaining Guide-book through North Wales.