o my eyes.
Somewhat to the south rose immense stacks of chimneys surrounded by grimy
diabolical-looking buildings, in the neighbourhood of which were huge
heaps of cinders and black rubbish. From the chimneys, notwithstanding
it was Sunday, smoke was proceeding in volumes, choking the atmosphere
all around. From this pandemonium, at the distance of about a quarter of
a mile to the south-west, upon a green meadow, stood, looking darkly
grey, a ruin of vast size with window holes, towers, spires, and arches.
Between it and the accursed pandemonium, lay a horrid filthy place, part
of which was swamp and part pool: the pool black as soot, and the swamp
of a disgusting leaden colour. Across this place of filth stretched a
tramway leading seemingly from the abominable mansions to the ruin. So
strange a scene I had never beheld in nature. Had it been on canvas,
with the addition of a number of Diabolical figures, proceeding along the
tramway, it might have stood for Sabbath in Hell--devils proceeding to
afternoon worship, and would have formed a picture worthy of the powerful
but insane painter, Jerome Bos.

After standing for a considerable time staring at the strange spectacle I
proceeded. Presently meeting a lad, I asked him what was the name of the
ruin.

"The Abbey," he replied.

"Neath Abbey?" said I.

"Yes!"

Having often heard of this abbey, which in its day was one of the most
famous in Wales, I determined to go and inspect it. It was with some
difficulty that I found my way to it. It stood, as I have already
observed, in a meadow, and was on almost every side surrounded by
majestic hills. To give any clear description of this ruined pile would
be impossible, the dilapidation is so great, dilapidation evidently less
the effect of time than of awful violence, perhaps that of gunpowder.
The southern is by far the most perfect portion of the building; there
you see not only walls but roofs. Fronting you full south, is a mass of
masonry with two immense arches, other arches behind them: entering, you
find yourself beneath a vaulted roof, and passing on you come to an
oblong square which may have been a church; an iron-barred window on your
right enables you to look into a mighty vault, the roof of which is
supported by beautiful pillars. Then--but I forbear to say more
respecting these remains, for fear of stating what is incorrect, my stay
amongst them having been exceedingly short.

The Abbey of Glen