YSPYTTY-YSTWITH, a parish, in the union of TREGARON, upper division of the hundred of ILAR, county of CARDIGAN, SOUTH
WALES, 13 miles (S. E. by E.) from Aberystwith; containing 754 inhabitants, of whom 602 are in that portion of the parish
not comprised in the chapelry of Yspytty-Ystrad-Meuric. The name is derived from an ancient hospitium formerly existing
here, which is supposed to have belonged to the Knights Hospitallers, and its ad- Ynct, from its situation on the banks of
the river etwith. On the north the parish is bounded by that of Llanvihangel-y-Creiddyn and the river Ystwith, which flows
between the two places; on the west and east by Llanwnws, and in the latter direction also by the small rivers Marchnant
and Meuric; and on the south by the parochial chapelry of Yspytty-Ystrad-Meuric, which is subordinate to YspyttyYstwith.
It comprises about four thousand acres, one-half waste; the surface is hilly, the most lofty elevations being Glog-Vawr
and Glog-Vechan, which command extensive views of several of the surrounding counties; and the soil is various, being in
the lower grounds, which in some portions are subject to partial inundation, boggy, and in the higher, rocky and barren.
Some arable land, which is inclosed and cultivated, produces chiefly barley and oats. Lead-ore is found on the waste land
in the parish, of which some mines have been worked with advantage, and are still carried on, employing about one hundred
persons, and yielding nearly £3000 annually; and a stone quarry and two mills of small extent are partially in operation.
The living is perpetual curacy, with that of Yspytty-Yetrad-Meurio annexed, endowed with £800 royal bounty; net income,
£86; patron, Earl of Lisburne: attached are about 200 acres of land scattered in other parishes. The church, dedicated
to St. John the Baptist, and situated on a rock commanding a fine view of Maen Arthur wood, is an ancient edifice,
consisting of a nave, divided by a screen to form a chancel; the length is about 30 feet and the breadth 15; the roof is
supported by octagonal pillars, in one of which is a cavity for the purpose of a font. Here are two day schools, where 90
children are instructed at the expense of their parents; and five Sunday schools are attended by persons of both sexes,
who are taught gratuitously.