the greater will be the number of donations. Moreover, Aberystwith, by its central position, is well placed to receive contributions alike from North and South Wales, and thus to represent the entire Principality. But another consideration, not without considerable weight in determining the selection of a site, is to be found in the fact that the nucleus of a collection is already formed at Aberystwith. It must be confessed that, at present, the collections are but small. Yet the fact that donations are constantly being received shows that the museum, though young, is by no means friendless, and needs only to be better known in order to be better supported. Bearing in mind the efforts which have recently been made in the cause of liberal education in Wales, we may well believe that the museum, as an educational agent, will not be overlooked.

There can be no doubt that Wales does not at present possess a natural history museum which can be compared with those of many of the larger centres of population in England, say Liverpool or Manchester, Leeds or Bristol. But I believe that such a want needs only to be pointed out in order to be supplied. Emboldened by what has been done in the past, we are warranted to look hopefully to the future; confidently believing that, either at Aberystwith or elsewhere, we shall in the fulness of time possess a museum worthy of Wales, and of the fine possibilities that yet lie latent in the Principality.

THE CASTLEREAGH TOWER OF MACHYN

LLETH.

ONE of the principal aims of the Society of Cymmrodorion must necessarily be the development of the fine arts in their practical uses and bearing upon the Principality. Among these, the architecture of our towns holds a prominent place. There are historic relics of a rare kind to be preserved from the Vandalism of the day, such as the so-termed Parliament Houses of Dolgelley and Machynlleth, the bridge of Inigo Jones at Llanrwst, the castles of Flint, Harlech, and Caernarfon, with other interesting objects. We do not mean, be it understood, that the Cymmrodorion presume to take these things under their charge. That would involve an expenditure which should be national. But they intend to exercise a moral guardianship by bringing their influence to bear, and by calling on the nation at large to join them, wherever the work of destruction or disfigurement is intended.

But it is with the Society's objects in the present that we have now to deal. It is, therefore, with no common pride that we notice the completion and inauguration of a beautiful clock-tower in the centre of the town of Machynlleth, which has been named the "Castlereagh Tower", in commemoration of the coming of age of the viscount of that name, the eldest son of the Marquis of Londonderry.

The site of the tower is that on which the old Town Hall formerly stood-a building the demolition of which it is impossible to regret. It was neither ornamental nor useful. A nobler site could not have been chosen. The graceful structure consequently stands at the point of junction of the

three principal streets, and commands their length.

Upwards of ninety feet in height, the tower rises from four elegant arches supported by columns of dove-coloured Anglesea marble. From these the shaft, perforated with loopholes, springs upward to support the faces of the clock, and its ornamentation is rich and varied. At the sides of the clock faces are circular pinnacles finished with terminals. The tower is crowned with a spirelet surmounted by a vane. Our space will not allow us to enter further into the detail of the architecture. We can only add, that the whole is a beautiful and a graceful object in a by no means ordinary Welsh town.

The foundation stone was laid in 1874, and the completed building inaugurated on the 31st of August last. A Committee of the gentlemen of the neighbourhood had been formed to carry out the object, Mr. Howell of Dolguog being the Chairman.

The day of inauguration was one of continuous rain and storm, but the ardour of the men of Machynlleth was not to be damped. At the appointed hour a large company was assembled, among whom were the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry, the Viscount Castlereagh, Lady Edwards, Mr. Howell representing the Committee, and others.

During a pause in the storm, Mr. Howell, addressing Viscount Castlereagh, alluded, in a concise and yet most telling oration, to a former meeting, when his Lordship laid the foundation stone of the tower they were that day met to inaugurate. He said that the Committee had aimed at two things-the erection of a building that would be of general utility to the inhabitants, and, at the same time, an ornament to the town, and he trusted that the Committee had attained both these objects.

The Viscount Castlereagh, in a speech of considerable feeling and eloquence, and amid loud and protracted cheering,

declared the inauguration complete. The Marquis of Londonderry afterwards addressed the assembly, and his address was received with great applause. The proceedings came to an end with a dinner in the Town Hall, over which the noble Marquis presided.

We congratulate Mr. Howell and his Committee on the happy termination of their protracted labours. They have set an example, in the beautifying of Machynlleth, which they, to whom the care of our large towns has been committed, will do well to follow. Not only have they erected a Town Hall, which, with its central and commodious marketplace, is an edifice which few places with a similar population possess; but the wealthier inhabitants are vying with each other in the erection of a better class of private residence not at all out of keeping with the general character of the place. This is well. The last quarter of the nineteenth century has overtaken us, and the selfishness that prompted men to look well to their own property and homes, while they neglected the general order and beauty of their towns, will no longer be tolerated. The clock tower at Machynlleth stands as a beacon, not only to warn, but to light them on to similar efforts and success. It is not every town that may possess a Marquis of Londonderry or a David Howell; but a united effort, and an unselfish spirit, will of themselves work a great revolution.

Answer me, burning Stars of night!
Where is the spirit gone

That past the reach of human sight,
Even as a breeze has flown?

And the Stars answered me-" We roll
"In light and power on high,
"But of the never-dying Soul

"Ask things that cannot die."
O many toned and chainless Wind!
Thou art a wanderer free:
Tell me if thou it's place can find
Far over mount and sea?

And the Wind murmur'd in reply,
"The blue deep I have cross'd
"And met it's barks and billows high,
"But not what Thou hast lost."

Ye Clouds that gorgeously repose
Around the setting Sun,
Answer, have ye a home for those
Whose earthly race has run?

The bright Clouds answered, "We depart,
“We vanish from the sky;

"Ask what is deathless in thy heart,
"For that which cannot die."

Speak then, thou voice of God within,
Thou of the deep low tone!
Answer me through life's restless din,
Where has the spirit flown?

And the voice answered, "Be thou still!
"Enough to know is given,

66

Clouds, Winds, and Stars, their task fulfil,
"Thine is to trust to Heaven."

Copied July 23, 1826.-W. O. P.

FEL. HEMANS, June 1826.