There are two canals in this county. The Mon mouthshire canal, was begun in the year 1792, and cost about 280,0001. including the railways connected with it. It commences on the west side of Newport, form ing a basin connected with the Usk. Its line lies be tween that town and the river, and it afterwards crosses the road leading to Chepstow ; thence by Malpas it runs parallel to the Avon, and near it, close to Pontypool, to Pontnewidd. This is one line of the Monmouthshire canal. Its whole length is 11 miles, with a rise of 12 feet in the first mile, and 435 feet in the other 10 miles. The other branch strikes off near Malpas, parallel to the Ebwy, to the vicinity of Crumlin Bridge, having a course of nearly 11 miles from the junction, with a rise of 358 feet. The total length, therefore, of the two lines, is 22 miles, with 809 feet lockage. There are several rail roads from each of these branches to the iron works, coaleries, lime-works, &c. which abound in this part of DrIonmouthshire. One of the rail-roads, which is nine miles long, cost 40,0001. The highest point of elevation of the principal rail-way is 1230 feet, making the whole elevation 2035 feet above the entrance lock. The Bre con canal unites with the Monmouthshire canal about 8 miles from Newport, and 1 from Pontypool. It crosses the river Avon, where it is carried through the high lands by a tunnel 220 yards long. It afterwards passes the town of Abergavenny towards the Usk, parallel to which it leaves the county. A canal has recently been formed, which, at the distance of about a mile from Abergavenny, communicates with the Brecon canal, and promises to open a considerable trade with the former town.
The western division of Monmouthshire is rich in mi neral treasures, particularly iron and coal. Near the source of the Avon is Blenavon, where immense works are established, which usually employ upwards of 400 men. The iron is conveyed to the canal on the rail ways. Between Abergavenny and Usk are the Trostey iron-works. Iron bar is manufactured here, and con veyed down the Usk to Newport. Iron is found in se veral other parts, chiefly in the vicinity of Abergavenny. There are also extensive iron-works at Abercorn, con sisting of a foundery, wire mill, rolling mill, &c. The Monmouthshire canal passes through these works. There are also large iron works near Pontypool. There are indications of lead, but not any mines of consequence. Coal abounds; and, since the Monmouthshire canal was completed, a number of coaleries have been opened, which before were unknown or neglected. There are several large ones about 17 miles from Newport ; one of which raises nearly 100 tons a day. They are ge nerally worked by levels. There is no stone coal. As proofs of the great activity and increase which bas been given to the coal trade, by the formation of the canal, it may be mentioned that the coals exported coastwise from Newport average about 150,000 tons, principally to Bristol, Bridgewater, and Gloucester. To Bristol alone, about 40,000 tons are exported; whereas, before the canal was made, none were sent. There are many quar ries of breccia for mill-stones, and other valuable stone for building. Lime-stone of the best quality abounds, especially in the eastern division of the county, where it is burnt on the spot for the general manure of the county. The rivers are well stocked with fish. The salmon of the Wye and Usk are much celebrated for their flavour.
The agriculture of Monmouthshire presents nothing interesting. The eastern division contains a good deal If arable land ; and in some of the vales near the Runt ney, a large quantity of corn is grown. There is also very fine pasture land in the eastern division. The western division is chiefly devoted to the feeding of sheep. This county is not remarkable for its native breed of cattle or horses ; but the finest mules in the kingdom are reared and worked in it and Brecon. They are from 14 to 16 hands high, and sell for 30 or 401. In the neighbourhood of Monmouth, oxen are much used in agriculture. Many of the peasants keep bees. Orchards, on a small scale, are not uncommon.
The iron works of this county have been already men tioned. There are also several other manufactures, prin cipally of metal. Near Caerleon there are very exten
sive tin-works, which are capable of manufacturing an nually from 14,000 to 20,000 boxes of tin plates, con taining each from 200 to 300 plates. Iron plates are here rolled, and iron shop-bolts and square bars made. The machinery of the mill is entirely iron. The iron plates made here are used in the manufacture of the Pon typool japanned ware. This was the invention of Tho mas Allgood, in the reign of Charles II.; it is still car ried on, but has much declined since the rise in the trade of Birmingham. There is also a manufactory of japan ware at Usk. Not far distant from Tintern Abbey is a manufactory for making wire, which begins with the ' thick iron bar, and proceeds to the smallest wire.
The roads in Monmouthshire, which were formerly very bad, have been much improved of late years ; and, though still unavoidably hilly, are in other respects as good as in most other parts of England. The following are the results of the last accounts respecting them laid before Parliament : .Mile;. Furl.
Length of paved streets and turnpikes in 1814, - 264 7 — all other turnpikes, - 772 1037 0 Estimated value of labour employed on them, - X4033 0 0 Composition money - 712 0 0 Highway rates, - 5635 0 0 Law expenses - - 284 0 0 Total, X10,664 0 0At the time of the Roman invasion, this county wa, comprehended in the Silurian territory. It was after wards called Givent. It was never completely con quered during the Saxon dynasty. William I. however, in a great measure subdued it, by directing his barons to make incursions at their own expense, and granting them the lands they conquered, to hold under feudal tenure. These barons, however, afterwards entrenched in strong castles, bid defiance to their Sovereign ; feuds and animosities also arose between them. At length Henry VIII. abolished their petty governments, and added to the English counties. It was still, however, considered in law as a Welch county till the time of Charles II. It abounds in antiquities, or rather in ruins, highly picturesque in themselves, and rendered still more so by the scenery of the surrounding country. The most celebrated of these are Tintern Abbey, and the Castle of Chepstow. Piercelield, near Chepstow, the once celebrated seat of Valentine Morris, may also be noticed, as uniting, with wonderful taste and effect, all the softer and richer beauties of this most in teresting country. Raglan Castle is another place worth noticing, on account of its ruins, and the valiant defence it made in favour of Charles I. under the Marquis of Worcester.
The following are the results of the last returns to Parliament, respecting the poor-rates of this county, for the year 1815 : tisms, from 1801 to 1810, both inclusive, was 11,834; of burials 8832 ; and of marriages, 4058. The small number of burials and marriages, compared to the po pulation, and the low proportion of baptisms to mar riages, are very striking ; particular inquiry was made, in consequence, into the parish register returns, but without discovering the cause.
Number of persons relieved, on an average of 1813, 14, and 15, 61 in each 100. The average rate levied on each individual, 12s. 21d. The average sum for support of each poor person annually, 61. 16s. 52d. 1-19th of the money raised expended on law ; and 1-34th for mi litia purposes-1th for all other purposes—total ex pended, independent of maintenance of the poor, is 4(1.— 13 in each 100, members of friendly societies.
In the hilly district enclosed by the Usk and the Rum ney, which once formed a little principality, and which is said to have been left undisturbed by the Romans, Sax ons, and Normans, the customs and manners of ancient Britain are preserved more pure than in any other part of Wales. The following are the results of the last returns to Parliament, respecting the population of this county.
One baptism to 47 persons; one burial to 64 persons ; and one marriage to 153 persons; the last is a very small proportion, the average of England being one marriage to 120 persons. The total number of bap See Coxe's Picture of Monmouthshire. \Varner's Walks in Wales. Evans's Tour in South Wales. Beau ties of England and Wale*, vol. ii. (w. s.)