RHIW, a parish, in the union of PWLLHELI, hundred of CommiTmAEN, Lleyn division of the county of CARNARVON, NORTH WALES,
11 miles (W. a. W.) from Pwllheli; containing 371 inhabitants. This place derives its name, signifying the ascent of a
hill, from its situation on the acclivity of Mynydd Rhiw, a lofty eminence that rises above the village to an elevation
of one thousand and thirteen feet above the level of the sea. The parish, which extends across the isthmus of Lleyn, is
situated on the western shore of the bay called Porthnigel, in the great bay of Cardigan, and comprises about 900 acres
of arable and pasture land, whereof about two-thirds are ancient inclosure, and the remainder, which is mountainous, was
inclosed by an act for that purpose, in the year 1811. The soil, in the lower grounds, is a stiff clay, and in the higher
lands gravelly, producing tolerable crops of barley and oats, and excellent grass; and the inclosed commons afford good
pasturage for sheep and young cattle. The surrounding scenery is pleasingly diversified, and is somewhat enlivened by
several small rivulets which run through the parish. From the summit of Mynydd Rhiw. the prospect is strikingly beautiful,
embracing the whole range of the mountains of Snowdon, and extending over Cardigan bay, St. George's Channel, and a great
part of South Wales. Phis Rhiw, for many generations the seat of the family of Lewis, and now the property and residence
of Lewis Moor Bennet, Esq., is an ancient and handsome mansion, comprehending within the grounds some picturesque scenery.
Manganese, of very superior quality, abounds in the parish: the vein in which it lies, first discovered in 1827, has
been worked since that time with very great success, and about fifty persons are now employed in procuring it, the produce
being principally sent to the Liverpool market. The rateable annual value of the parish has been returned at £646. The
living is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of Llandudwen annexed, rated in the king's books at £6. 14. 91., and
endowed with £200 royal bounty; present net income £97; patron, Bishop of Bangor: there is a glebe-house, with six
acres of land, besides eleven acres purchased with the Bounty money. The church, dedicated to St. Aelrhiw, is an ancient
and spacious cruciform structure, in the early style of English architecture, and is in good repair; i the length of the
body Of the edifice is 63 feet, the breadth 21 feet, and the .transept measures 22 by 18. There is a place of worship for
Independents, with a burial-ground attached. A school for the instruction of poor children was formerly held every fourth
year in this parish, in rotation with that of BrS7ncroes (in which the tenement is situated that forms the endowment), and
those of Aberdaron and Llanvaelrh,s; but it is now made permanent, and converted into a National school at 1311-ncroes,
containing about 30 children, and supported partly by the endowment and partly by payments from the parents. There are
also three Sunday schools, gratuitously conducted: one consists of about 30 males and females, who attend the Established
Church; and in the other two, which appertain to dissenters, are about 60. Some land in the parish, now producing £4 per
annum, was bequeathed for keeping i the church in repair.