mouthshire. It was a pleasing amusement to mix in these crouded meetings, to observe the frank and simple manners of the hardy mountaineers, and endeavour, in asking the price of their provisions, to extort a Saxon word from this British progeny. The women were mostly wrapped in long cloth cloaks, of a dark blue or brown colour; all of them wore mob caps, neatly plaited over the forehead and ears, and tied above the chin; several had also round felt hats, like those worn by the men, or Large chip hats covered with black silk, and fastened under the chin. This head-dress gives an arch and lively air to the younger part of the sex, and is not unbecoming.

The town principally owes its foundation and increase to the iron works established by the family of Hanbury; it is likewise remarkable for the japan manufacture, known by the name of Pont y Pool ware. In the reign of Charles the second, Thomas Allgcod, a native of Northamptonshire, came to Ponty y Pool, and being a man of a projecting genius, made various experiments to extract copperas and oil from coal, and finally invented the method of lackering iron plates with a brilliant varnish, in the same manner as the Japanese lackered wood; which was afterwards distinguished by the name of Ponty Pool ware. Dying, however, before it was brought to perfection, his son Edward, who inherited his father's genius as well as his father's se-crets, pursued the discovery with encreasing spirit, made considerable improvements, and finally established a manufactory of japan ware, which was long unrivalled. This manufactory is still carried on by his grandson William, but on a less extensive scale; its decrease is principally owing to the rise of similar establishments in other places, and particularly at Usk, under a branch of the family.

Edward Allgood was the principal agent of MajorHanbury, and assisted him in directing and improving the iron works, particularly the wire manufactory, which was deficient in the method of polishing to that established at Woburn in Bedfordshire. For the purpose of discovering the secret, Edward Allgood repaired to Woburn, in the character of a beggar, and acting the part of a buffoon, gradually obtained access to the workshops, and was permitted to inspect the various processes, by which means he acquired the art of making the leys, the principal ingredient for giving a more brilliant polish to the iron wire, which was the only desideratum in the Pont y Pool works.

The situation of Pont y Pool, near a region rich in mineral treasures, in the midst of forges and collieries, and at the head of the canal, render it peculiarly commodious for the establishment of iron manufactories; and perhaps another generation may see a new Birmingham start up in the wilds of Monmouthshire!

'Ponty Pool is in the manor of Lantarnam, and the townhouse was erected in 1730 by Mrs. Bray, joint lady of the manor with her sister Miss Morgan, which is commemorated by an inscription in English and Welsh on the front.

The family of Hanbury, to whom the town owes its consequence and celebrity, have long resided at Pont y Pool park, in the vicinity; their ancestors were formerly seated at Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire, from which place they derived their name. According to the red book of the bishopric of Worcester, Roger de Hanbury was born there in 1125, and his descendant Galfridus, resided there. in the middle of the sixteenth century. About the year 1500 the possessor disinherited his brothers, and left the seat, and part of the estate, to

a natural daughter. Richard, the eldest, settled in London, and is distinguished as one of the Goldsmiths' company, (for so the bankers were called) in the reign of Henry the seventh. His eldest son, Capel, purchased an estate at Pont y Pool, and was the first founder of the iron works. The earliest conveyance deeds are dated 1565, and a regular account of the sale of iron commences in 1588. Neither he, or any of his immediate descendants, were permanently seated at Pont y Pool, but possessed landed property in the parish of Kidderminster, in the county of Worcester, where they seem to have resided. They occasionally repaired to Pont y Pool, for the purpose of inspecting the iron works; and the initial letters of John and Richard, the son and grandson of Capel, together with the family arms, are carved on the pulpit of the church, with the date of 1637.

Capel the son of Richard, died in 1704, and was buried in the chancel of Kidderminster church, under a flat sepulchral stone, with this memorial:

"Here was laid the body of Capel Hanbury, Esq. May it rest as he lived and died in peace, in the 79th year of his age, 14th January, 1704.

"With length of days he met his fate prepar'd, No murmurs, not a sigh or groan was heard; That peace that dwelt within his honest breast, Has smooth'd his passage to eternal rest!”

His eldest son and heir John, usually known by the name of Major Hanbury, was born in 1664; after receiving a liberal education, and making a considerable proficiency in classical literature, he chose the profession of the law. He did not, however, long pursue his studies in this line: he said, one day, to Mr. Jones, of Lanarth, "I read Coke upon Littleton, as far as Tenant in Dower; but on the suggestion of a friend, that I should gain

more advantage from the iron works of Pont y Pool, than from the profits of the bar, I laid aside Tenant in Dower, and turned my attention to mines and forges."

In 1701 he married Albina Selwyn, daughter of John Selwyn, Esq. of Matson, in the county of Glocester, with whom he obtained a considerable fortune. With this addition to his own property, he determined still farther to improve the iron works at Pont y Pool, near which place he built a house, and fixed his residence.

His skill and indefatigable application were crowned with considerable success; he increased the produce of his iron works, made many im provements in the machinery, invented the method of rolling iron plates by means of cylinders, and introduced the art of tinning into England.

By the interest of his wife's family, he was chosen, in 1701, member for the city of Glocester, which he continued to represent in three succeeding parliaments. His wife dying without issue, lie espoused, in 1703, Bridget Ayscough, eldest daughter of Sir Edward Ayscough, knight, in the county of Lincoln; she was in high favour with the duchess of Marlborough, and by this connection he acquired the protection of the duke, who honoured him with particular marks of confidence and

esteem.

On the accession of George the first, he was chosen, on the independent interest, member for the county of Monmouth, which he continued to represent until his death. Although no speaker, he distinguished himself as a man of business, and was appointed chairman to several committees, During the reign of Queen Anne, and the early part of the reign of George the first, he uniformly voted with the whigs; but on the schism, which divided that party, he joined the body hostile to

government, opposed the administration of Sir Robert Walpole, and his name appears among the members who voted against the excise.

In 1720 he obtained a considerable acquisition of property; Mr. Williams, of Carleon, who fled from his country for killing Mr. Morgan, of Penros, in a rencontre, having received on his return to England, great marks of attention and friendship from Major Hanbury, stood godfather to his son Charles, and dying unmarried, bequeathed to him the bulk of his fortune, which exceeded 70,000l. under the condition of purchasing estates, the proprietor of which should assume the name and arms of Williams. In memory of his benefactor, Major Hanbury erected a monument in Westminster Abbey, with an elegant inscription, expressive of his regard and gratitude.

Soon after the failure of the South Sea scheme, when many of the directors were dismissed, the integrity of his character, and his talents for business, recommended him to the proprietors, and he was appointed one of the new directors. About the same period, he had the honour of being one of the executors of his patron the Duke of Marlborough's will. In gratitude for his faithful discharge of that delicate office, the Duchess of Marlborough presented him with an elegant service of plate, and his wife with a valuable set of jewels.

Before his death he purchased the estate of Coldbrook, and settled it on his son Charles, godson of Mr. Williams, afterwards well known under the name of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. He died highly respected, beloved, and lamented, in 1735, in the 70th year of his age. He left five sons; John, who died in 1736 without issue; Capel, the ancestor of the present possessor of Pont y Pool park; Charles; George, who succeeded to the ess