_(For the Mirror)_
The best or north-east view of Carmarthen comprises the bridge, part of
the quay, with the granaries and shipping, and in the middle is seen
part of the castle. Few towns can, perhaps, boast of greater antiquity,
or of so many antiquarian remains as Carmarthen, South Wales; although,
I am sorry to say, that their origin and history have not been, I
believe, clearly explained or understood by the literary world. One
would conclude, that as a Welshman is almost proverbially distinguished
for deeming himself illustriously descended, and relating his long
pedigree, he would naturally boast of, and exhibit to the public, some
account of these vestiges of his ancestors; but such is not the case,
and to their shame be it spoken, these ruins are scarcely noticed with
any degree of interest by the inhabitants of Carmarthen. But to my
subject. The name is derived from _caera_, wall, and _marthen_, a
corruption of Merlyn, the name of its founder, who was a great
necromancer and prophet, and held in high respect by the Welsh. There is
a seat hewn out of a rock in a grove near this town, called Merlyn's
Grove, where it is said he studied. He prophesied the fate of Wales, and
said that Carmarthen would some day sink and be covered with water. I
would concur with the author of a "Family Tour through the British
Empire," by attributing his influence, not to any powers in magic, but
to a superior understanding; although some of his predictions have been
verified.
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