Merioneth

Merioneth (Meirionydd), a county in north Wales, bounded on the north by Carnarvon and Denbigh, on the south and east by Montgomery and Denbigh, and on the west by Cardigan Bay. It is 45 miles long, and has an area of 385,291 acres. Its surface is very mountainous, and the county contains the peaks of Cader Idris, Aran Mowddwy, Arenig-Fawr, and several others of over 2,000 feet. The scenery in the valleys and on the sea-coast is very fine. There are several lakes, the chief of which is that of Bala, called in Welsh Llyn Tegid (" the fair lake"). Barmouth and Aberdovey have good harbours, but the coast is generally dangerous, owing to shoals and sandbanks. The climate varies, according to altitude, from cold to mild, and the soil is poor. Near

Festiniog there are large slate quarries, and at Dolgelly woollen goods are made. The county returns one member to Parliament.