PENBRIN (PEN-BRYN), a parish, in the union of NEWCASTLE-EMLYN, lower division of the hundred of TROEDYRAUR, county of CARDIGAN, SOUTH WALES, 5 miles (x. by W.) from Newcastle Emlyn, and 8 (z. N. z.) from Cardigan; containing 1630 inhabitants. This place derives its name, signifying "the Head of the hill," from the situation of its church on the summit of an abrupt eminence near the sea, and is sometimes also called Llanvihangel-Pen-y-Bryn, from its dedication to St. Michael. The vicinity appears to have been distinguished, at a very early period, as the scene of several of those sanguinary conflicts which occurred during the fierce struggles for empire among the rival chieftains of the principality, and the continued efforts of the confederate natives to repel the usurpation of their territories by foreign invaders. The names of several places within the limits of the parish are by some thought to bear testimony to the carL, nage which ensued upon those occasions: among these, Maes Gies, Pwll Gies, and Cles GMs (Glee being considered, though somewhat fancifully, to be a contraction of Galanas), are reputed severally to signify the plain, the pit, and the inclosure of slaughter; Fynnon Waedog, "the bloody well;" and Llech yr Ochain, " the stone of lamentation." One of those places Mr. Evans supposes to be the spot where the forces of Arthur were slain, through the treachery of his kinsman Mordred; and Llamborth, another place in the parish, is by some considered to be that celebrated by Llywarch Hen, as the field where Geraint ab Erbin, a prince of Devon, was slain, with a vast number of his followers, and who is stated to have been interred on a farm in the parish, still called Perth Geraint; but others think that the spot mentioned in the aged poet's elegy on the fall of Geraint was in Devonshire or Cornwall; and Dr. Owen Pughe, in his notes to the translation of that composition, conjectures that it might be Portsmouth. Penbrkn is situated on the bay of Cardigan, and intersected by the turnpike-road leading from the town of that name to Aberystwith; it comprises by computation about 8500 acres, principally arable, some parts producing excellent barley, the chief crop; the surface is exceedingly hilly, but the greater part is under cultivation. A portion of the shore, designated Tmeth Saith, is supposed to be the most favourable place for sea-bathing on this part of the coast. On the beach is a flat rock, termed Carreg Morwynion, or "the Maidens' rock," from the circumstance of several females having been drowned while bathing there. The surrounding scenery is for the greater part dreary, and contains few features either of rural or picturesque beauty; but the views over the bay are enlivened by the passing and repaving of vessels navigating this part of the coast. A stream called the Ceri rises in the north-eastern part of the parish, and after having passed through the Vale of Troedyraur and the very picturesque dells of Cwmdii, empties itself into the Teivy near Newcastle-Emlyn. Within the parish is a small hamlet, or village, named Sarnau, from the remains of several paved roads across a bog in the immediate vicinity of it. Llanborth was formerly an ancient mansion belonging to the family of Rhs ab Rhydderch, Lord of Tywyn; in default of heirs it was taken possession of by Sir Herbert Lloyd, of Peterwell, the lord of the manor, and was afterwards sold. The living is a vicarage, with the perpetual curacies of Bettors Evan and Brongwpi annexed, rated in the king's books at £15; patron, Bishop of St. David's; impropriator, Major W. Rice: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £700, of which a sum of £'320 is payable to the vicar, one of £355 to the impropriator, both subject to rates, averaging £46. 10. per annum for each; £25 are payable to the treasurer of St. David's Cathedral. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, and situated on the summit of an eminence overlooking the bay of Cardigan, is an ancient structure, in the early style of English architecture, consisting of a nave and chancel, separated by a finely pointed arch, and having a porch in the same style; the font is an ancient square basin. In the churchyard are the stone steps of a cross, supposed to have been destroyed about the period of the Reformation. There are places of worship for Independents and Welsh Calvinistic Methodists: a day school affords instruction to about 50 children at the expense of their parents; and three Sunday schools are carried on, two of which appertain to dissenters, and the other to the Established Church. The parish abounds with relics of antiquity, principally of British origin; and almost every spot of elevated ground seems to have been occupied as a military post. Castell Nadolig, an extensive British encampment, strongly defended by a double entrenchment, occupies a situation on a farm of the same name, near the high road; and the course of a paved road leading thence northward might some time ago be traced for more than a mile. In a field not far from the church is an erect stone, about five feet high, with an inscription that was read, by Mr. LiWyd, COR BALENCI TACIT ORDOVS. Under the heap of stones near which it then stood some silver coins, and an urn containing ashes, were found. Bishop Gibson also notices a gold coin, about the weight of a guinea, supposed to be of native British antiquity, and of a period prior to the Roman invasion, as having been discovered in the pariah. Several tumuli and carneddau are seen in various parts, and the vestiges of numerous fortifications are still discernible. On the farm of Cevn Lletre is a lofty mound of earth, encircled by three ramparts, called Castel!, originally a place of great strength, but the fortifications are at present nearly demolished; within a short distance is a tumulus designated Casten Pridd. At Blaenhonant, another farm, is a large carnedd; and there are two others in the immediate neighbourhood. In 1841, a gold coin of Titus Vespasian, about the weight of a sovereign, was found on the farm of Blaen Ceri, in a state of perfect preservation; on the obverse, surrounding the head, are the words " Imp Vesp I Caesar;" on the reverse, which represents a full length figure with emblems, are " Pontif I R P. 0 I:" it is in the possession of the vicar.