forces, under General
Mytton. Such are the chief historical events I recollect connected with
the fine old ruin.

A considerable number of trading vessels were alongside the quays,
taking in slate and copper ore, the chief products of the district.
Enormous quantities of slate are exported from Wales.

We remained a night here, as it was too late to run through the Straits
to Bangor. Early the following morning, however, the wind was fair, and
we continued on the same course. The tide also favoured us. Had it
been against us, as it runs at the rate of between five and six miles an
hour, we should have made but little progress. The shores are high and
picturesque, with villages here and there, and some handsome residences,
the finest belonging to the Marquis of Anglesea.

We soon came in sight of the tubular bridge carrying the railway across
the Straits. The distance between the cliffs on either shore is eleven
hundred feet. It was curious, as we sailed under it, to look up to a
height of one hundred and four feet, and to see these two enormous tubes
above our heads. Their total length is one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-three feet, which includes two hundred and thirty feet at either
end resting on the land. The tubes are composed of wrought-iron plates,
three quarters of an inch thick, tightly riveted together, the one
carrying the up, and the other the down line. The bridge is supported
by three vast piers, measuring sixty-two feet by fifty-three feet at
their base. This wonderful work is considered to surpass that of the
Menai Bridge. It may be asked how these tubes could ever have been got
up to their present positions. This was accomplished by means of
hydraulic presses of the most powerful description; indeed, it is
asserted that one of them could throw a stream of water twenty thousand
feet into the air,--above five times higher than Snowdon, and five
thousand feet higher than the summit of Mont Blanc. The bridge was
commenced in 1846 by Robert Stephenson, and the first train passed
through it on the 1st of March, 1850; since which time no accident has
happened to it.

A little further on we saw above us the celebrated Menai Bridge. The
piers are each one hundred and fifty three feet high, and five hundred
and fifty three feet apart. Sixteen iron chains, one thousand seven
hundred and fifteen feet in length, pass from pier to pier, and support
the bridge. The chains have a dip in the ce