CARDIGANSHIRE, a county of South Wales, bounded on the north by Merioneth-shire and Montgomery-shire, on the east by Radnor-shire and Brecknock-shire, on the west by the Irish sea, and on the south by Caermarthen-shire. Its length from north-west to south-east is about 44 miles, and its breadth near 20. The air, as in other parts of Wales, varies with the soil, which in the southern and western parts is more upon a level than this principality generally is, which renders the air mild and temperate. But as the northern and eastern parts are mountainous, they are consequently more barren and bleak. However, there are cattle bred in all parts; but they have neither wood nor coals of their own for fuel: they have rich lead mines, and fish in plenty, with fowls both tame and wild. The principal rivers are the Teivy, the Ridol, and the Iftwith. This county hath five market-towns, viz. Cardigan, Aberystwith, Llanbadarnvawn, Llanbedar, and Tregaron, with 77 parishes; and was formerly computed to have upwards of 3000 houses, and 520,000 acres of land. It sends two members to parliament; one for the county, and one for Cardigan.