EU &Marv.
The Dutchess of Kent visited Llanberis on Saturday, and in her way passed through the town of Carnarvon. The loyal inhabitants seem to have been highly gratified. The Uxbridge Arms Hotel was tastefully decorated with evergreens and flags ; and on either hand of the great semicircle which fronts the building, were erected rural arches, tastefully composed ; one of them being thrown over the road at the entrance to the area, at the foot of the garden of William Ro- berts, Esq., the deputy Mayor, and the other across the street opposite the house of George Bettiss, Esq. There was another tasteful arch at the entrance of Pool Street, at the other extremity of the town, from the house of Mr. Peter Ellis to the opposite side. The streets leading to the Llanberis road from the hotel were profusely decorated ; the neighbouring woods seemed to have been dismantled of their branches, to supply the fronts of the houses with foliage. Flags with appropriate inscriptions were hoisted opposite the houses in the Bangor road, and in many places in the town. The children of the National Schools were drawn up, girls and boys separately, in front of the hotel, headed by benevolent individuals and their teachers ; and in the centre was displayed a tablet, supported on either side by a boy and girl, handsomely decorated with red drapery, and bearing the inscription- " The Children of the National Schools beg to express their gratitude to their Benefactress." A little after twelve o'clock, the Royal car- nages arrived in front of the hotel. The Princess Victoria was not present; her Royal Highness was slightly indisposed, and it had not been xleemed advisable that she should leave borne. The road to Llanberis is, independently of the mountain scenery, pleasing and pic-
turesque. It pursues its course chiefly along an elevated ridge, at the foot of which the Seiont winds over its rugged bed, guiding the eye to its origin in the Lake of Llanberis. The cavalcade stopped at a tem- porary pier erected for the embarkation of the Royal party, near the northern extremity of the lake, a few hundred yards from the ruins of the hall of Llewelyn, where tradition informs us King Edward the First embarked to attack the Welsh when they made their last stand. Here her Royal Highness and suite entered the boat of T. A. Smith, Esq., provided for their reception ; at the stern of which floated the RM.& standard of Britain, for the first time on this lake since the days of Edward. A number of carriages from Carnarvon kept pace with the boat as it proceeded up the lake, and pedestrians of various grades and conditions lined the roads and rocks. As the boatproceeded Slowly along, the Royal visitor was greeted by salutes from above two thous.and rock cannon; a species of artillery which will require some desemption. In convenient parts of the rock, boles are bored to a sufficient depth ; and, being charged with gunpowder, are connected by means of trains ; so that, upon the application of a match, successive explosions take place, which reverberate in a surprising manner among the mountains. The fire glanced along the rocks like flashes of light.. fling, followed by explosions' the hollow rumbling of which can only be compared with repeated bursts of thunder. The Royal party landed at the ruins of Dolbadarn, one of the ancient British castles which guarded the pass ; where they were escorted by several hundred members of the benefit societies of the vale to the new innjust erected by Mr. Smith, and now called the Royal Victoria; where the Royal banner was displayed opposite the Hill of Council where the Barons of Snowdon were encamped when they made with Edward the treaty which united England and Wales. Considerable disappointment was felt when it became known that the young Princess, or, as the quarry- men call her, "y frenines fach "—(the little Queen)—was not of the party. After partaking of refreshments, the Royal party proceeded to visit the ancient castle, and Mr. Smith's beautifully situated cottage on the lake. They then set out on their return by land ; receiving as they went a thundering farewell from the mountain cannons, which the lads of Snowdon had reloaded.
The Beaumaris Royal Eisteddfod took place on Tuesday and Wednes- day. Report speaks highly of the talent displayed. The Dutchess of Kent and Princess Victoria were not present at the contest ; but on the afternoon of Wednesday, they received the bards and minstrels, and distributed the prizes.
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