NEWCASTLE, a parish, comprising the Higher and Lower townships, in the union of BRIDGEND-AND-COWBRIDGE, hundred of NEWCASTLE, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, adjoining the market-town of Bridgend; and containing 1239 inhabitants, of whom 590 are in the Higher, and 649 in the Lower, township. This place, which is situated on the western bank of the river Ogmore, near its confluence with the Ewenny, derives its name from a fortress of later date than that of Oldeastle, on the opposite bank of the Ogmore. By whom these castles were originally built has not been clearly ascertained; but their origin has been attributed to some of the Norman invaders of this part of the principality, who probably erected them for the protection of the territories of which they had obtained possession. The parish is bounded on the north by those of Bettws and Llangonoyd, east by St. Bride's Minor and Coyty, south by Merthyr- Mawr, and west by Laleston; the surface is very irregular, and exhibits little timber of any kind. The Lower township forms part of the market-town of Bridgend, and presents some good land, producing wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and hay, with a few turnips: the lands in the Higher township are of rather poor quality, with the exception of a small portion inclosed and cultivated, but they contain coal and iron mines, r°- gether with limestone quarries, in the former of which about 150 men are employed. Besides Bridgend there is the small village of Aberkenvig in the parish. The scenery is generally pleasing, and from the eminence on which the church is situate is a fine view, including the influx of the Osimore into the Bristol Channel, the castles of Coyty and Ogmore, and the mansion of Coytrehene, higher up the river Ogmore, with its luxuriant groves, forming an assemblage of picturesque objects. The living is a discharged vicarage, with Bettws, Laleston, and Tythegston annexed, rated in the king's books at £7. 7. endowed with the rectorial tithes of the parish of Bettwa, and in the patronage and impropriation of the Crown; present net income, £197, with a glebe-house. The church, dedicated to St. Illtyd, is an ancient structure with a tower, and is situated on the declivity of an eminence; it is supposed to have been erected in 1200, and is 60 feet long and 20 broad, containing about 200 sittings, of which 60 are free. In the Higher township is a day school, 'Anne about 25 children are instructed at the expense of their parents; also a Sunday school, supported by subscription, and attended by about 20 males and females. In the Lower township is a day school, containing 40 children, chiefly boys, who are paid for by their parents; a Sunday school, in which are from 60 to 100 males and females, is gratuitously conducted by Particular Baptists; and there is an infants' school of about 50 children. The interest of £10, bequeathed by Mr. Watkins, and vested in the Bridgend turnpike-trust, is annually distributed among the poor; but two charities of ZIO and £5 by Rachel Mathews and John Austin have been lost. The only remains of the ancient castle are, a gateway, remarkable for the elegance of its pointed arch, and the ruins of the wall which inclosed the site; the area has been converted into a garden: they are the property of the Earl of Dunraven.