CHAPTER XXVI.
Ceiniog Mawr--Pentre Voelas--The Old Conway--Stupendous Pass--The Gwedir Family--Capel Curig--The Two Children--Bread--Wonderful Echo--Tremendous Walker.
I walked on briskly over a flat uninteresting country, and in about an hour's time came in front of a large stone house.

It stood near the road, on the left-hand side, with a pond and pleasant trees before it, and a number of corn-stacks behind.

It had something the appearance of an inn, but displayed no sign.

As I was standing looking at it, a man with the look of a labourer, and with a dog by his side, came out of the house and advanced towards me.
"What is the name of this place ?" said I to him in English as he drew nigh.
"Sir," said the man, "the name of the house is Ceiniog Mawr." "Is it an inn ?" said I.
"Not now, sir; but some years ago it was an inn, and a very large one, at which coaches used to stop; at present it is occupied by an amaethwr--that is a farmer, sir." "Ceiniog Mawr means a great penny," said I, "why is it called by that name ?" "I have heard, sir, that before it was an inn it was a very considerable place, namely a royal mint, at which pennies were made, and on that account it was called Ceiniog Mawr." I was subsequently told that the name of this place was Cernioge Mawr.
If such be the real name the legend about the mint falls to the ground, Cernioge having nothing to do with pence.

Cern in Welsh means a jaw.
Perhaps the true name of the house is Corniawg, which interpreted is a place with plenty of turrets or chimneys.