ness of the
architecture. It presented something in the form of a cross. I soon
found the clerk what his countenance represented him to be, a highly
intelligent person. His answers to my questions were in general ready
and satisfactory.

"This seems rather an ancient edifice," said I; "when was it built?"

"In the sixteenth century," said the clerk; "in the days of Harry Tudor."

"Have any remarkable men been clergymen of this church?"

"Several, sir; amongst its vicars was Doctor William Morgan, the great
South Welshman, the author of the old Welsh version of the Bible, who
flourished in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Then there was Doctor Robert
South, an eminent divine, who, though not a Welshman, spoke and preached
Welsh better than many of the native clergy. Then there was the last
vicar, Walter D---, a great preacher and writer, who styled himself in
print Gwalter Mechain."

"Are Morgan and South buried here?" said I.

"They are not, sir," said the clerk; "they had been transferred to other
benefices before they died."

I did not inquire whether Walter D--- was buried there, for of him I had
never heard before, but demanded whether the church possessed any ancient
monuments.

"This is the oldest which remains, sir," said the clerk, and he pointed
with his finger to a tablet-stone over a little dark pew on the right
side of the oriel window. There was an inscription upon it, but owing to
the darkness I could not make out a letter. The clerk, however, read as
follows.

1694. 21 Octr.
Hic Sepultus Est
Sidneus Bynner.

"Do you understand Latin?" said I to the clerk.

"I do not, sir; I believe, however, that the stone is to the memory of
one Bynner."

"That is not a Welsh name," said I.

"It is not, sir," said the clerk.

"It seems to be radically the same as Bonner," said I, "the name of the
horrible Popish Bishop of London in Mary's time. Do any people of the
name of Bynner reside in this neighbourhood at present?"

"None, sir," said the clerk; "and if the Bynners are descendants of
Bonner, it is, perhaps, well that there are none."

I made the clerk, who appeared almost fit to be a clergyman, a small
present, and returned to the inn. After paying my bill I flung my
satchel over my shoulder, took my umbrella by the middle in my right
hand, and set off for the Rhyadr.

I entered the narrow glen