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Taking the road upon the left of the church, we entered the charming park of Brynkinalt, and visited one of the most picturesque seats in the Principality. This elegant mansion, with its ivy-covered walls, is the principal residence of the Viscount Dungannon, who is descended from Tudor Trevor, Earl of Hereford, founder of one of the fifteen tribes of North Wales. Valle Crucis Abbey, as well as many of the churches in the neighbourhood, have been greatly improved at his lordship’s expense, who is distinguished for archæological taste and research. The house was built during the reign of James the First, from a design by Inigo Jones, and is delightfully situated upon the brow of a hill, from which circumstance it derives its name. The park is divided by the river Ceiriog.

The late Duke of Wellington was maternally descended from this house. His mother, the Countess of Mornington, who was a daughter of Arthur Hill-Trevor, first Viscount Dungannon, spent much of her time here during the boyhood of our illustrious hero, who frequently visited his noble parent during the Eton holidays. There are yet living those who remember the boyish frolics of him who was at a later period destined to act so conspicuous a part in the world’s history.