This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908. Excerpt: ... Beside these are brasses, which have been placed in memory of the officers and men of that gallant regiment who have fallen in battle. CHAPTER XXXVIII. The Merthyr District. Merthyr Tydfil, with a population of nearly 50,000, is the third largest town in Wales. It stands on the upper reaches of the Taff, almost on the border between Glamorgan and Brecknock. It is situated in a bleak district, and is surrounded by high mountains. This makes the rainfall for the town one of the highest in the county. For many years Merthyr was the largest town in Wales, and it owes its size and prosperity to the iron and coal industries. Merthyr Tydfil (Merthyr=martyr) takes its name from an ancient Welsh princess named Tydfil who was martyred near by, about 420 A.d., by a band of pagans. The town, with Aberdare and other places in the neighbourhood, forms a Parliamentary District returning two members to the House of Commons. For many years efforts were made to obtain Municipal powers for the town. A commission was held to enquire into the case, with the result that Merthyr is now a borough town. A celebrated writer once described the growth of Merthyr as being more rapid than that of any town in the United States, that home of mushroom cities. This growth of course occurred when the iron trade was in full swing. The town has, however, continued growing at an ordinary rate, but many of the old parts require re-building. The iron industry has left its imprint upon the district. Cinder tips, slag heaps and refuse from the mines and works abound, giving the outlook a dreary appearance. Some of the "tips" have been built upon, though the more recent still retain their heat, and form at night a brilliant spectacle. The history of the iron trade at Merthyr goes back to the sixte...