ly a Druidical place of worship,
but of which nothing is positively known, though conjecture is
busy. Goodrich Castle, which was partly battered down by the
Cromwellians like Raglan, is more ancient, and was much stronger
than the latter; but, though not so beautiful and splendid, it is
an equally curious and interesting ruin, with many of its parts
still more perfect than anything at Raglan. I was exceedingly
delighted with Goodrich, and there was a female _custos_, zealous
and intelligent, whose husband, she told us, was continually
occupied in clearing away rubbish and exposing the remains of the
old Castle. We then went to Goodrich Court, a strange kind of
bastard castle built by Blore, and which the possessor, Sir
Samuel Meyrick, has devoted to the exhibition of his collection
of armour. There are only a few acres of ground belonging to him,
on which he has built this house, but it is admirably situated,
overhanging the Wye and facing the Castle, of which it commands a
charming view. After being hurried through the armoury, which was
all we were invited to inspect, we embarked in a boat we had sent
up, and returned to Monmouth down the Wye through some beautiful
scenery, but which it was too cold to enjoy.

July 4th, 1839, Clifton {p.221}

I came here last night, the wind having changed to S.W., and
summer having come with it. I left Troy in the morning and went
to Tintern Abbey: most glorious, which I could not describe if I
would, but which produced on me an impression similar in kind and
equal in amount to that which I felt at the sight of St. Peter's.
No description nor any representation of it can do justice, or
anything like justice, to this majestic and beautiful ruin, such
is its wonderful perfection viewed in every direction, from every
spot, and in the minutest detail. That the remains should be so
extensive and so uninjured is marvellous, for there can be no
doubt that this Abbey might be restored to its former grandeur.
Much has been done by Mr. Wyatt, the Duke's agent, both to
preserve the Abbey and to develope its beauties by cutting away
the trees and ivy, and clearing away the accumulation of earth;
by the latter means several tombs and many detached fragments of
beautiful design and workmanship have been found, and I did my
best to encourage him to pursue his researches.

Casting many lingering looks behind, I left Tintern and went to
Windcliffe, from the summit of which there is a very fine