MELIDEN, a parish, in the union of ST-ASAPH, hundred of PRESTATYN, county of FLINT, NORTH WALES, 5 miles (N. by a.)
from St. Asaph; containing 844 inhabitants. This parish, which is supposed to derive its name from the dedication of its
church, is situated at the north-western extremity of the county, on the shore of the Irish Sea; and comprises an
extensive tract of rich arable and pasture land, in a high state of cultivation: the surface is in general flat, and the
whole district, extending to Rhuddlazi, is remarkably fertile; the soil is favourable for the growth of all kinds of
grain, but more especially for wheat, the quality of which is not excelled in any other part of the principality. There
are a few respectable residences scattered over the parish, among which is Nana, an ancient mansion of a branch of the
Conways of Bqn Euryn, near Liandrillo-yn-Rhos. The surrounding scenery, though pleasing, is not distinguished by any
peculiar features; and the only views possessing interest are those which extend over the Irish Sea, at the time of flood-
tide, when vessels are proceeding towards the river Dee; but at ebb-tide many sand-banks appear, and the coast is in
general low and sandy. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £400 royal bounty, and £400 parliamentary grant; net
income, £90; patron, H. S. Milner, Esq.; appropriator, Prebendary of Meliden: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-
charge of £368, of which a sum of £350 is payable to the prebendary, who has also a glebe of 6 acres, valued at £6 per
annum, and £18 to an impropriator; the whole subject to rates, averaging £48. 10. The church, dedicated to St. Melid, is
not remarkable for any peculiarity of architectural detail. There is a day school, in whith 20 children are instructed at
the expense of their parents. A noble &cation was bequeathed to the curate in 1783, by the Rev. Gilbert Bouchery, who
directed that the interest of £1000, three per cent. Bank annuities, should be for ever paid in augmentation of the income
of the curacy; and he also left a further sum of £1400, in the same stock, the dividends to be appropriated after the
decease of his wife, who died in 1807, to the augmentation, in equal portions, of the livings of four resident iqcumbents
in the diocese of St. Asaph, who should have the most scanty incomes, and he the most remarkable for the diligent and
conscientious discharge of their ministry, the selection to rest with the Bishop. The dividend on the first bequest is
regularly received by the curate, and that on the second, amounting to £75 annually, is divided among four poor beneficed
clergymen, giving a sum of £18. 10. to each. In the hamlet of Prestatyn, in the parish, are some 'vestiges of an ancient
castle, called Plan Prestatyn.