Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 2.djvu/33

Rh FETCHAM. 25 FBTTEEOAIEK. through the vale, on each side of which are meadows, and along the sides of the hills corn-fluids interspersed with wood of various descriptions. Higher up these hills the scenery varies to the wild and romantic, where the beauties of nature are found in their rudest and most fantastic forms. There are two good inns at the village, called the Pengwern Arms and the Newborough Arms, with several boarding houses to accommodate the nume- rous visitors that resort here during the summer and autumn in each year. About half a mile from the village are two beautiful waterfalls on the river Cynfal. The upper one consists of three steep rocks, over which the water foams into a dark basin, overshadowed by the adjoining rocks. To see this to perfection one must cross a bridge thrown over the river between the two cataracts. The lower fall consists of a broad sheet of water precipitated down a rock 40 feet high, and darkened by the luxuriant foliage around it, almost to the margin of the stream. Close by is a columnar rock in the shape of a pulpit, called by the peasantry, " Pulpit Hugh Llwyd" (Hugh Lloyd's pulpit), where a magician of that name used to deliver his nightly incantations. To those who are fond of angling, Festiniog will afford much amusement. The river Dwyryd and its streams are preserved from poachers, and the various lakes in the neighbourhood, viz. Cwmorthin Lake, Llynmor- wynion, Llyn-y-pysgod, Llynmannod, and Llyndecwyn, abound in fish, especially trout and salmon. Higher up in the parish are numerous slate quarries, that yield enormous profits : some of these have been in operation for sixty years. One of these quarries, after being worked upwards of sixty-five years, was disposed of last year (1863) to a new company for 120,000. The popu- lation in the neighbourhood of the quarries is about 4,500. Mrs. Oakeley, of Tan-y-Bwlch, who is the chief proprietor of the land where the principal quarries have been opened, and who is also in receipt annually of from 8,000 to 10,000 royalty from the quarries, has built a fine hospital contiguous to them, and also a beau- tiful church, which she has endowed to the amount of 180 per annum, with a comfortable parsonage house, offices, &c. There is a railroad from the quarries to Portmadoc, a distance of 13 miles. A remarkable fact connected with this railway is, that it is worked by a locomotive upon only a 2 feet gauge an engineer- ing accomplishment peculiar to this railway, there not being another of the kind, so far as is known, in the world. The gradient being 1 in 120, the carriages are propelled by their own impetus the whole distance (13 miles) on their downward journey in about one hour and a quarter, whilst this unique engine draws them up on the return in about the same space of time ; the rail traverses some of the most picturesque scenery that it is possible to imagine. FETCHAM, a par. in the second div. of the hund. of Copthorne, co. Surrey, 1 mile 8.W. of Leatherhead, its post town, and 6 N. of Dorking. The river Mole forms the N.E. boundary of the par., and there is a small lake supplied by springs, which, after giving power to a flour- mill, forms a tributary of that stream. The land is chiefly arable, with a small proportion of woodland. The living is a rect.* in the dioc. of Winchester, val. 363. The church is a structure of the Middle Ages, built of flints, pebbles, chalk, and Roman tiles. It was originally in the form of a cross, and is now partly covered with ivy. The register commences in 1559. The parochial charities produce nearly 70 per annum. There is a National school. In 1758 many skeletons were found here, supposed to bo those of the Saxons and Danes who perished in the pursuit after the battle of Ockley, in 815. FETHAKD, a par., post and market town, in the bar. of Middlethird, co. Tipperary, prov. of Munster, Ireland, 8 miles N. of Clonmel. The surface consists principally of rich pasture lands. The living is a rect. in the dioc. 'I I 'ashel, val. with others, 1,076, in the patron, of the bishop. The church lias a very elegant eastern window and a fine peal of five hells. Hero are two Roman Ca- tliolic chapels, Wesleyan and Presbyterian meeting- houses, and ten day schools. The town which is small and irregular, stands upon the banks of the Glashall, or Glaisaluin rivulet, amidst a fertile plain near the foot of Slievenaman ; and though now a place of small im- portance, was formerly a parliamentary borough by charter of James I, It returned two members before the Union, and was a town of considerable consequence. It has a police station, barracks, and dispensary. Fe- thard was founded in the reign of John, and the walls and fortifications were built by Edward III. They aro nearly all remaining in good preservation. In 1306 a friary of the order of St. Augustine was founded here, which was afterwards granted to the Butler family. The building has been restored, and is now used as a Roman Catholic chapel. The town, after a short re- sistance, was ceded to Cromwell in 1650. The articles of capitulation are preserved by W. Barton, Esq., of Grove, the chief proprietor. The town pump occupies the site of the old cross, which is the reason for the curious custom of carrying round the pump any corpse conveyed through the town. There are many venerable castles in the parish, among which are Caherdearg, or Red City, and Knockelly. This last is an extensive and fine old ruin. Near it is Banetstown Castle, where Am- brose Power was assassinated by the "Whiteboys." Petty sessions are held every fortnight. Monday is market day. Fairs are held on the 20th April, Wednesday be- fore Trinity Sunday, 7th September, and 21st November. FETHARD, a par. and post town in the bar. of Shel- bourne, co. Wexford, prov. of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles S. of Enniscorthy, and 109 from Dublin. The par. ex- tends chiefly between Waterford Harbour and Bannow Bay. The surface consists generally of good land. The living is a rect. in the dioc. of Ferns, val. 235, in the patron, of the bishop. The church is very ancient. It contains the tomb of Alexander Devcreux, last Abbot of Dunbrody and Bishop of Ferns, buried here in 1556. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to those of Tem- pletown, Ramsgrange, and Duncannon. Here are a Protestant Sunday arid four day schools, chiefly supported by the Marquis of Ely. The town stands upon a bay bearing its name. Though now but a village, it was formerly a borough returning two members to the Irish parliament, incorporated by James I. It contains coast- guard and police stations, and a dispensary within the Ross Poor-law union. The site was granted by Strong- bow to Raymond-le-Gros, his brother-in-law, who built a castle here, afterwards used as the seat of the bishops of Ferns until 1648. Fethard Castle is the seat of the Marquis of Ely. Limestone is exported, and a consider- able herring and other fishery is carried on. On Bagen- bun Head are traces of an encampment. A fair is held on the 5th and 6th August. FETLAR, an island in the par. of Yell, North Shet- land Isles, Scotland, 2 miles E. of Yell, and 4 S. of tlnst. Its length is 5 miles and its breadth 3. The surface is hilly. The coast line is broken and indented by several creeks and inlets, the principal of which aro the bays of Gruting, Tresta, Urie, and Mowick Harbour. Bog, iron ore, copper ore, asbestos, and porcelain clay are found here. FETTERANGUS, a post vil. in the par. of Old Deer, co. Aberdeen, but belonging to co. Banff, Scotland. It stands near the town of Old Deer, on the right bank of the river Ugie. The inhabitants are mostly linen weavers. FETTERAXGUS. See GASK, Scotland. FETTERCAIRN, a par. and post vil. in the co. Kin- cardine, Scotland, 16 miles S.W. of Stonehaven, and 82 from Edinburgh. It extends for a considerable distance along the margin of the river North Esk, and the Lower Grampians rise on the N. border. There is much waste and woodland, but reclamation is rapidly going on. The arable land is highly cultivated. This par. is in the presb. of Fordoun, and synod of Angus and Mearns, in the patron, of the crown. The minister has a stipend of 240. The church was built in 1804. There are a Free church, and an Episcopal chapel built by Sir John Gladstone, who also founded the almshouses and two schools. There aro three private schools. Fettercairn